Safer Child Products

Fourth of July, Independence Day! Wow!  What an incredible feeling I get when I think about what this means for our country.  Fireworks can be so beautiful and exciting, however, at the same time I worry about people being injured while being around or setting off fireworks.  According to a study by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) in 2009 there  “were two deaths and nearly 9,000 emergency room visits for injuries resulting from fireworks related incidents. Most fireworks injuries occurred to consumers younger than 20 and resulted in the loss of a limb in many cases.”  http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10282.html

If you are setting off fireworks around young children, please use common sense and caution and keep small children back away from all fireworks and sparklers. Do not let young children play with or light any type of fireworks.  There have been many injuries to children under age 5 from sparklers. Here are some additional tips from  http://www.kidsturncentral.com/topics/safety/fworks.htm:

• Read and follow instructions
• Always keep water and sand nearby
• NEVER light indoors use only OUTDOORS
• Never try to make your own fireworks
• Never relight fireworks that appear to have gone out
• Only light one at a time
• Never allow small children to go near fireworks
• Store in a cool dry place
• Never lean over top of fireworks to light them
• Tie hair back, wear safety goggles and no loose fitting clothes
• Sparklers should be immersed in sand once they appear out - they are still very hot and can burn

Also, the CPSC urges consumers to not use illegal fireworks.  They are far more dangerous than the legal ones and can be fatal.

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday!