As communities cancel July 4 fireworks events due to the COVID-19 pandemic, observers have found the sale of fireworks for private use has been brisk. A USA Today report found sales of fireworks are up 15 percent from projected sales and more than 100 percent from a year ago. But while safe use can be fun, experts caution that safety should always be a top priority. Kids love sparklers, but the tip of a sparkler can be up to 2,000 degrees.
Dawn Robinson of Oneida County emergency management has some safety tips..
"Never throw or point fireworks at other people or animals. Never allow children to play with, or ignite, fireworks. Even sparklers, those can become extremely dangerous for kids to handle. Adults igniting fireworks should igniting fireworks should use eye protection and never have any part of their body over a firework..."
Robinson says buy fireworks from reliable vendors.
Health officials have more tips: Keep a water source nearby in case of fire and accidents, only use legal fireworks approved for consumer use. Light and stage fireworks only as intended. Holding a lit firework or placing it in an unapproved container can result in significant harm ranging from burns to shrapnel injuries to loss of fingers or vision.
Health officials also stress if there is a community fireworks event to practice social distancing, wear a mask and practice coronavirus safety like any other time.
