Bloomington Fire Department shares statistics, tips to ensure holiday safety

[image:1293,left]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2013

For more information, please contact:
Scott Smith, Fire Prevention Officer, City of Bloomington Fire Department, 349.3888


Bloomington Fire Department shares statistics and tips to ensure holiday safety

Bloomington, Ind. - The City of Bloomington Fire Department and the Fire Prevention Bureau would like to remind residents about some important Fourth of July safety tips. The Fire Department encourages everyone to please follow all safety guidelines and fireworks laws, which are put in place to prevent injuries.

Statistics from the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) illuminate the nature of fireworks-related injuries:

• On average, 200 people go to emergency rooms every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month surrounding the Fourth of July
• 65 percent of all fireworks-related injuries recorded in 2011 occurred during that same time period
• Illegal or homemade fireworks were involved in all four fireworks-related deaths reported to CPSC in 2011

More than half of fireworks-related injuries are burns. The most commonly injured body parts include:

• 46 percent: Hands and fingers
• 17 percent: Eyes
• 17 percent: Heads, faces, and ears
• 5 percent: Trunk
• 4 percent: Arms
• 11 percent: Legs

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security has also released tips for safe fireworks handling. These include:

• Never let children handle, play with or light any fireworks
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children
• Always purchase fireworks from reliable, licensed fireworks dealers
• Set fireworks off in a clear, open area and keep the audience a safe distance away from the site
• Do not alter any fireworks device or attempt to make homemade fireworks
• Only light one firework item at a time and never attempt to re-light or fix a "dud"
• Have a fire extinguisher, water supply, hose, or bucket of water nearby
• Be aware of the strength and direction of the wind when lighting fireworks
• Never smoke while handling fireworks
• Never aim, point or throw fireworks at another person
• Use fireworks outdoors, never indoors

The Bloomington Fire Department would like to remind residents that:

• Only individuals 18 years old or older may purchase fireworks
• Fireworks may be discharged on holidays from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Fireworks may be discharged only on personal property, the property of someone who has granted permission or at special discharge locations
• Know the laws and obey them; penalties are now in place for violation of Indiana's fireworks laws

The Bloomington Fire Department wants to remind residents that safety is the greatest concern during the holiday season and to feel free to call with questions about acceptable fireworks practices.

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