Since the 4th of July is the time when there are the most fireworks displays and celebrations in this country, it’s no surprise that June has been designated National Fireworks Safety Month. In Arlington and elsewhere throughout the U.S., there will be a focus on trying to deliver a spectacular fireworks show, while also observing all safety precautions which should be used, to keep everyone involved completely safe. As it relates to senior home care, professional caregivers should be aware that many seniors can become startled or fearful of loud fireworks displays which are held nearby.
If you’re tasked with caring for a veteran, that person could experience some painful reminders of combat situations when the explosions go off in the neighborhood. If family members are visiting for a celebration, all safety precautions should be observed, so that both seniors and youngsters are kept safe from any mishaps which might occur. Here are some other things to consider about fireworks displays, as they relate to senior care and keeping safe.
Having safe celebrations
Even if local officials in your area decide not to stage the annual fireworks display due to concerns from COVID-19, many families will still celebrate privately, and that raises a safety issue for seniors and their families. There’s no question that fireworks are the most festive way to commemorate and celebrate our country’s independence, but there are inherent dangers when fireworks are not properly used.
The first thing to keep in mind is that fireworks should be purchased from a reputable company because poor quality fireworks are more likely to misfire or cause safety problems when lit. Families planning to set off to fireworks should make sure to check on any local or state laws prior to celebrating, and all instructions should be read carefully on the fireworks package, to make sure you’re handling them safely and using them properly.
Over the last decade or so, the fireworks industry has made considerable progress in reducing the number of injuries related to their product, primarily by improving the quality of fireworks. However, there’s still a lot of work to be done, as evidenced by the fact that every year there are injuries related to fireworks celebrations, and most of these injuries are the result of improper usage.
In many cases, the reported injuries have to do with young people setting off fireworks to impress friends, or simply to have a laugh. Parents need to be aware when their children are using fireworks and should impress upon them the urgent need to use all safety precautions so that no accidents will occur. In addition to this, anyone who actually observes an individual improperly using fireworks has a responsibility to point out that situation and make the person aware that they’re engaging in dangerous behavior.
Safety tips for fireworks usage
To ensure that your family members are all safeguarded from injury related to fireworks usage, the following tips are provided so that you know what to look for ahead of time. If you have any senior members in your family who enjoy using fireworks, make sure they are also aware of these safety tips, so that no harm comes to them.
- keep pets and animals away from the noise of fireworks
- dispose of used fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trashcan
- don’t experiment with any kind of homemade fireworks
- do not carry fireworks around in your pocket
- after purchasing fireworks, they should be stored in a cool dry place until used
- whenever using fireworks, you should have a bucket of water or connected hose nearby
- don’t hold fireworks directly in your hands
- use all fireworks outdoors in an area well away from any buildings
- light one firework at a time and then leave the area
- always wear safety glasses when shooting off any kind of fireworks
- do not mix alcohol and fireworks, because it can lead to reckless behavior
- make sure that all fireworks activities are supervised by an adult
- never give fireworks to children, and be sure that seniors are carefully observed as well
- have a good understanding of the fireworks you will be using
- read all performance descriptions and cautionary labels prior to setting off your fireworks
- make sure to observe all local laws relative to the use of fireworks.
By following the recommendations above, you can ensure that everyone in your group will have a fun time, without any kind of unfortunate injuries occurring. Many a celebration has been marred by the fact that someone was severely burned or injured while setting off fireworks, and then was faced with a long period of recovery, or with some lasting injury that never healed. Be sure that your senior loved ones are not startled by fireworks explosions, and are not harmed by the setting off of any fireworks you’ve purchased for your home celebration.