Summer Safety Series: Fireworks Safety - NYCM Insurance Blog

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Jun 14, 2019

Summer Safety Series: Fireworks Safety


In the beginning of 2018 a new penal law was passed which allows both the sale and use of small fireworks, referred to as “Sparkling Devices”. This use is limited by the size, type, and construction of the sparkling device, Some counties have prohibited their use altogether. Review the details of the penal law, and see if your county has legalized these devices.

If by chance you live in a county where these devices are legal you’ll want to take the following precautions to ensure that you are doing so, safely.

     Be knowledgeable of all the laws regarding fireworks and their use in your area.
     Purchase your fireworks from a reputable source, and carefully read the warning labels.
     Fireworks should only be used by adults -- do not set off fireworks near children.
     Alcohol and fireworks do not mix -- If you’re setting them off make sure you haven’t consumed alcohol.
     Wear safety glasses when setting off fireworks.
     Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
     Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
     Never relight a “dud” firework.  Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
     Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
     Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
     Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
     Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
     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.
     Make sure your pet has an identification tag, in case it runs off during a fireworks display.
     Never shoot fireworks of any kind (consumer fireworks, sparklers, fountains, etc.) near pets.[1]

Fire is an amazingly powerful element, and it’s important that we treat it as such. As you’ve hopefully gathered, it’s important to always take the proper safety precautions when dealing with fire -- always protect yourself and those around you by using the necessary equipment and have a water source nearby.






[1] http://www.fireworkssafety.org/home/