Decades of tragic experience teach this lesson: Fireworks are dangerous.  Handled by professionals, fireworks add immensely to our enjoyment of many holidays, including the Fourth of July, Chinese New Year, and Mardi Gras.  But to keep holidays from turning to tragedies, leave fireworks to professionals, who take extensive safety precautions when producing their spectacular displays.

Injuries
Young people suffer the great majority of fireworks injuries, most frequently injuries to the eyes, head, or hands.  Losing your sight or losing a finger is a tragic price to pay for a few minutes of fun with fireworks.  Even seemingly harmless sparklers cause many injuries.  For children under 5, sparklers account for three quarters of fireworks injuries.  Fascinated by the bright sparks, little children may wrap their hands around a stick of fire that can be as hot as 1800 degrees F.

People Have a Lot to Lose
Injuries are only part of the problem.  In 1987, local fire departments were called to some 36,900 fires started by fireworks.  Those fires caused property damage totaling $25 million.  People do die from fireworks injuries and from fires started by fireworks.  Fortunately, the death toll is a lot lower that it was in 1902, when fireworks were legal in most states.  That year, fireworks and fireworks-related fires killed more that 200 people.

For all these reasons, those who see the injuries and damage from fireworks, physicians, firefighters, and paramedics agree on this strong warning: leave fireworks to the professionals.

Does Legal Mean Safe?
Don't think that fireworks are safe just because they're legal in Union City.  The largest share of fireworks injuries are caused by "Safe and Sane" fireworks. 

• Be Prepared
• Before you light fireworks:
• Purchase only legal fireworks, available at approved stands.
• Place pets indoors as they may become frightened.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby in which to place all used fireworks.
• Have a water hose or fire extinguisher nearby to put out stray sparks.
• Clear a level area away from things that can burn.
• Know how to use 911, your address/location and basic first aid.
• Teach your children to "stop, drop, and roll" if their clothes catch on fire.
• Be Safe

When lighting fireworks:

• Have a designated adult light all fireworks.
• Do not allow your children to light fireworks, only adults should light fireworks.
• Use eye protection, wear safety goggles.
• Light one at a time, move away quickly and keep at a safe distance until the display has finished.
• Use only outdoors, away from anything that can burn.
• To prevent injuries, never throw fireworks and never hold fireworks in you hand.
• Be Responsible

After you finish:

• Clean up all debris when finished.
• Duds can be dangerous; if a device does not light or fire, an adult should wait at least five minutes, approach it carefully, and place it in a bucket of water.