By Betsy Crick

July 4th is just around the corner – which for many, means fun in the sun, grilling out, and a great fireworks show to end the evening.  Be safe while celebrating with friends and family this year!

Just five years ago in South Carolina, fireworks caused 182 injuries, including serious burns, contusions, and other trauma; and 177 people were treated in emergency departments, while five were admitted to a hospital.

Safety tips to remember: 

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks and always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don’t realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

For more information about fireworks safety, please visit DHEC’s website.