Stay Safe
During the Sparkle of Fourth of July Celebrations

On the Fourth of July, leave the fireworks to the professionals, sit back and enjoy the glitter and wonder of the show.  Remember, consumer fireworks are illegal in New York.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 9,000 fireworks related injuries happen each year. Of these, nearly half are head related injuries, with nearly 30 percent of these injuries to the eye. One-fourth of fireworks-related eye injuries result in permanent vision loss or blindness. Children are the most common victims of fireworks abuse, with those 15 years old or younger accounting for 50 percent of fireworks-related eye injuries in the United States.

Even the apparently harmless sparklers account for one-third of all fireworks-related injuries for children under the age of five.  Sparklers can burn at nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

The following are recommendations from the Nassau County Department of Health and the American Academy of Ophthalmology to have a safe Fourth of July:

• Never let children play with fireworks of any type.
• View fireworks from a safe distance: at least 500 feet away, or up to a quarter of a mile for best viewing.
• Respect safety barriers set up to allow pyrotechnicians to do their jobs safely.
• Leave the lighting of fireworks to trained professionals.
• Follow directives given by event ushers or public safety personnel.
• Loud noises from fireworks can hurt the ears of pets, so leave pets at home.
• If you find unexploded fireworks remains, do not touch them; immediately contact local fire or police departments.
• If you get an eye injury from fireworks, seek medical help immediately.