Fireworks safety tips for the 4th of July
Planning to shoot off your own fireworks on the Fourth of July? Here are some tips to keep you, your children, pets, and neighbors safe.
• Keep all bystanders at least 25 feet away from fireworks.
• Light one fireworks device at a time, then go back to a safe distance immediately.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Put spent fireworks in a bucket of water and keep water or garden hose nearby in case of fire.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Don’t let children under 5 handle sparklers. According to the National Safety Council, sparklers are much more dangerous than most people think. Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt some metals.
• Before igniting, place fireworks on a flat surface, clear of any combustible material, and clear of all buildings.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• Avoid buying or handling fireworks that come packaged in brown paper as this can be a sign that the fireworks are made for professional fireworks shows.
• Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.
• If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
9 responses to “Fireworks safety tips for the 4th of July”
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What is wrong with you people? Possession of fireworks in Alexandria is illegal. Why isn’t it illegal (apparently, don’t know about Annandale and care less and less) in the entire area? Why are you offering safe advice for the use of this hazardous material instead of begging people not to use them at all? Let’s all PLEASE keep area children, pets, and wildlife safe and not purchase or use or help in the purchase and use of these hazardous materials. Attend an authorized display if you must.
Everything is illegal in Alexandria. Nobody cares about Alexandria. The 4th is about celebrating our Independence and freedom.
If you don’t like fireworks, don’t come to Annandale or Falls Church. Wear a double mask to protest. Happy 4th of July!!!
Can’t decide if obvious troll is baiting a gun argument or an Annandale dump argument…
Totally agree with TomatoQueen! Why is Annandale Today promoting the use of illegal, obnoxious, dangerous materials? And why does anyone think the sounds of war are a good way to celebrate anything? Have some consideration for the majority of people who DON”T want to hear this garbage and for god’s sake, all the poor wildlife who are terrified. It’s animal abuse! People should be seriously fined or even arrested for this illegal, dangerous, abusive activity.
You must be fun at parties.
I see. So these laws should be enforced by law enforcement. Not so much the other laws that you don’t like, but these laws.
Next door is leaking…
Nextdoor monitors simply won’t post anything with which they disagree. It’s an echo chamber.
I’ve always thought little about the fireworks displays I had growing up – but I also lived in a rural area. Now that I’m in an urban environment I do tend to agree that not all types of fireworks are appropriate for this area. Sparklers are good and fun, mortars are fun but not good.