Safety off the job for July 4th

July 4th is a good time to remember that safety for employees shouldn’t end when the work day is over.

Fireworks are potentially hazardous, and anyone who intends to use them this weekend should be very aware of safety. The Consumer Products Safety Commission offers the following tips for using fireworks.

Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them and be sure to purchase your devices from a licensed distributor

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper, as this is typical of fireworks that were made for professional displays and they may pose a danger to consumers
• Always have a responsible adult supervise fireworks activities.
• Always light fireworks one at a time
• Never place any body part directly above a firework device when lighting the fuse and back off to a safe distance immediately after the lighting the device.
• Never try to relight or pick up a device that have not ignited fully
• Never throw or point a firework device at another person
• Keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy in case of fire or some other mishap
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with water, before discarding to prevent a trash fire.

Parents with young children should pay particular attention to sparklers, which burn more than six times hotter than boiling water.

Stay safe so you and your family can have a happy July 4th weekend.