National Safety Group Encourages Safe and Responsible Use of Sparklers this Holiday Season
December 20, 2005 (Washington, D.C.) – Festivities, families, fireworks and sparklers. They seem to go hand in hand. Every year millions of Americans celebrate New Year’s Eve with sparkle! All across the country, sparklers are growing in popularity as a way of celebrating all special occasions, particularly New Year’s Eve. The National Council on Fireworks Safety encourages everyone to enjoy the coming holiday season safely and responsibly. In cold climates or warm, the use of sparklers during the holiday season is growing. What was once a 4th of July tradition is now becoming part of many New Year’s celebrations. Fireworks and sparkler retailers from the warm weather states of Florida and Texas to the colder climates of Minnesota report an increased interest in consumer fireworks and especially sparklers during the last part of December.
Over 50% of sparkler related injuries happen to children under the age of 14. The National Council on Fireworks Safety reminds all parents to be careful when using sparklers around children. The Council also encourages parents to safely supervise the activities of their children when sparklers are present. While they appeal to children of all ages, sparklers are not toys.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety urges everyone to use sparklers in a safe and responsible manner. The Council offers the following safety tips:
- Obey the local laws and use common sense.
- Always read and follow instructions. Always have an adult present.
- Keep burning sparklers away from clothing and flammable objects.
- Only use sparklers outdoors, away from buildings and vehicles.
- Light only one sparkler at a time.
- Alcohol, fireworks and sparklers do not mix. Be responsible.
- Do not point or throw sparklers at another person
- Children under the age of 12 should not handle sparklers.
- When finished, place used sparklers in a bucket of water.
Travelers should also be reminded that the FAA prohibits fireworks of any kind on any flight. They cannot be checked as baggage or carried on.
The safety trend relating to fireworks and sparklers is very positive. In 1976 the Consumer Products Safety Commission established federal standards for consumer fireworks and sparklers. Since the enactment of those stringent standards the injury rate from thes devices has decreased by 88%. The National Council believes this is due to the increasing level of safety education as well as the ever-improving quality of legal consumer fireworks and sparklers.
For more information on the safe use of consumer fireworks and sparklers, state laws and regulations please visit our website at www.fireworksafety.com. For questions contact Jim Winner at 724 866 4425.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety is a charitable organization. Its mission is to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks. The National Council on Fireworks Safety creates and distributes safety booklets and flyers, videos and public service announcements. They also conduct an annual media outreach program.
For additional information about the fireworks industry visit the following websites:
The American Pyrotechnics Association. The leading trade organization of the fireworks industry, the APA is made up of retailers and manufacturers of consumer and display fireworks. www.americanpyro.com
The American Fireworks Standards Laboratory is an independent non profit organization established by members of the fireworks industry. The AFSL administers design and performance standards. The AFSL’s mission is to reduce the potential risks associated with the use of consumer fireworks. Additionally, the ASFL conducts extensive testing of fireworks product at factory levels in China. Contact the AFSL at afslhq@afsl.org.Fireworks injury rates have declined by almost 70% during the past decade.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were an estimated 9,600 people treated for fireworks-related injuries in 2004. In 1992, the figure was 12,500.
However, the real story is that fireworks injuries have dropped radically. Injuries per 100,000 pounds of fireworks have dropped from 14.3 in 1992 to 4.1 in 2004, based upon statistics from the CPSC's NEISS system.
Manufacturers' participation in Federal safety regulations, combined with an increased consumer awareness, are making the Fourth of July Holiday safer than ever. However, explosive devices like M-80s and M-100s continue to be a problem. Though banned since 1966, these illegal explosives still account for one-third of all Fourth of July injuries.
This Fourth of July, legal fireworks that meet the safety regulations of the CPSC will be on sale in 45 of 50 states and the District of Columbia.
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