The Burn Institute wants San Diegans and visitors to have a fun-filled, but safe Independence Day.
The lure of setting off fireworks lands too many people in emergency rooms each year. Last year, emergency rooms around the country treated 9,000 fireworks-related injuries.
Remember, all fireworks are illegal in San Diego County, including sparklers which cause the greatest number of injuries. They can burn at about 2,000 degrees–as hot as a blow torch and will ignite children’s clothing. People caught with illegal fireworks can be fined anywhere from $50 to $50,000.
Fireworks are not the only summer burn hazard. The Burn Institute recommends the following safety precautions:
Fire Pits/Barbecues
- Do not bury coals. Dispose of them in proper receptacles. Buried coals retain heat for 24 hours and sand acts as an oven, sealing in the heat.
Home Grills
- Place them at least 10 feet away from the house. Keep children and pets away when in use. Use only approved lighter fluid and never add lighter fluid after lighting coals.
The Burn Institute is the local nonprofit agency dedicated to reducing the number of burn injuries and deaths in San Diego, Imperial, Riverside and San Bernardino counties through fire and burn prevention education, burn care research and treatment, and burn survivor support services.
For more information, visit www.burninstitute.org.
Taken from a SD Burn Institute press release.
