Fireworks during the Fourth of July are as American as apple-pie, but did you know that 2 out of 5 fires reported on that day are started by fireworks, more than for any other cause? According to the United States Fire Administration, fireworks cause approximately 15,000 injuries including burns and eye injuries each year.

The good news is you can enjoy your holiday and the fireworks by following a few simple safety tips:

Proceed with caution!

• Be safe. If you want to see fireworks, go to a public show put on by trained experts.

• Parents and caregivers should always closely supervise children at events where fireworks are used.

• Sparklers burn at more than 1,200 °F and cause 3rd degree burns in seconds.

• Place discarded sparker wires in a metal bucket filled with water.

• 16% of fireworks injuries each year throughout the United States are caused by sparklers.

• After the firework display, children should never pick up fireworks that may be left over since they may still be active.

• Leave pets at home and keep them inside during firework displays. Loud noises can scare them or hurt their hearing.

Here is a video showing the dangers of consumer grade fireworks:

For more information on fireworks safety, visit www.nfpa.org/fireworks.

E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety urges Michiganders to follow common sense safety rules this Fourth of July during holiday celebrations!