SOURCE: The National Council on Fireworks Safety
New Year’s Eve is a wonderful time to celebrate the start of a new year. And fireworks are a wonderful way of celebrating. However, all too often, New Year’s Eve festivities can lead to too much drinking. Just as drinking and driving do not mix, drinking and shooting consumer fireworks absolutely do not mix.
If you are at a party for New Year’s Eve where consumer fireworks are being used, make sure there is a designated fireworks shooter who has not been drinking any alcohol. Even a small quantity of alcohol (one beer, a glass of wine) can impair one’s judgment and ability to properly set up and use consumer fireworks safely. Make your New Year’s celebration a “professional affair” by designating a shooter who reads each firework label in advance, knows the fireworks, sets up the shooting area, puts on a beautiful and safe display and then cleans up the shoot site and prepares the debris for safe disposal.
Nancy Blogin, President of the National Council on Fireworks Safety, notes, “Each New Year’s Eve, consumers are injured because their judgment has been impaired by beer, wine or other alcoholic drink. The lesson is simple: Alcohol and fireworks don’t mix.”
In addition, the National Council reminds shooters of consumer fireworks of these other important safety tips:
*Only use fireworks outdoors free of overhead obstructions and away from dry grass or other flammable materials.
*Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
*Never give fireworks to young children.
*Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
*Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
*Dispose of spent product by wetting it down and place it in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until morning.
And remember: ALCOHOL AND FIREWORKS DON’T MIX!
See related safety tips at www.FireworksSafety.org.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose sole mission is to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks. For a full list of consumer fireworks safety tips and the Council’s safety videos, please visit www.FireworksSafety.org.
