NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Cherie Sage with Safe Kids Kansas notes that you should have a plan for who is allowed to shoot fireworks before you buy them.
"We're seeing an increase, actually, in injuries," Sage said. "In fact, injuries last year more than doubled for the 14 to 18 year old age group. Our highest incidents of injuries are going to be like the mortars and artillery fireworks, but other fireworks like parachutes and fountains and little spinners, things like that that we're used to that are kind of like the family favorites. Those are causing injuries."
Sparklers are more dangerous than they may appear.
"A lot of people, that's the first thing they think, sparklers are safe for young kids, they hand kids sparklers," Sage said. "It's really important to know they account for almost one quarter of all emergency room visits that are related to fireworks. Kids should really not use sparklers. Those can actually burn at temperatures hot enough to melt glass. I don't think a lot of people really think of that. Kids can get injured by sparks that fly into their eyes and their face, and also just, you know, contact burns, touching, you know, touching the end of a sparkler."
The most important thing is to have a designated responsible person watching any kids. If everyone is watching the kids, no one is watching the kids.
"The most important part of Independence Day and fireworks and any celebration is active supervision," Sage said. "That means that the kids have an adult that has eyes on them, and that they know that they're in a safe space. So it's also helpful to create a safe zone that's far enough back from any fireworks that are being set off."
You can find more summer safety tips here.
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