JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission held its annual firework safety demonstration and experts are showing everyone how to stay safe.
The situations included losing an eye due to bottle rockets, burning clothing with sparklers, and fatal explosions caused by fireworks. All demonstrations used either mannequins or watermelons to demonstrate the power of the explosives. it is important to know the difference between professional, consumer, and illegal fireworks.
Fireworks that are for consumers are in colorful packaging with bright colors and a brand name.
Professional fireworks are large cylinders wrapped in brown paper with a brand name. Illegal fireworks tend to be brown, silver, or red tubes that do not have any label and a green wax. In 2011 four people lost their life to firework expolsions and nearly 10,000 fireworks-related injuries were reported.
Personal fireworks safety tips:
Only use fireworks outdoors
Obey local laws
Have water handy
Only use as intended
Never relight a "dud"
Use common sense
Alcohol and fireworks do not mix
Handler should be over the age of 12
