Must-See Fireworks Safety Tips From Saint Barnabas Hospital In NJ

LIVINGSTON, NJ — When it comes to fireworks safety, a little bit of knowledge goes a long way, doctors at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston say.

As New Jersey residents get ready to celebrate the July 4th holiday with a bang, burn care specialists at the busy Essex County hospital are telling people to have fun – but to be safe.

In an effort to help prevent fireworks-related injuries, medical experts with The Burn Center of New Jersey, which is located at Saint Barnabas, offered people some easy safety tips to keep in mind on Independence Day (see videos below).

According to a news release from Saint Barnabas, New Jersey legalized the sale of some types of fireworks a few years ago which can now be found in retail stores across the state. People who are 16 and older are legally allowed to buy hand-held sparklers and ground-based sparklers as well as certain novelty items including party poppers and snappers.

But don’t be fooled, the hospital said: even smaller fireworks have the potential to hurt someone.

“Most important is that children never use fireworks,” said Michael Marano, medical director at the burn center.

“This includes readily available sparklers, which are the most common source of fire-related injuries,” Marano added.

About two-thirds of fireworks injuries happen each year in a one-month span surrounding July 4, with most accidents resulting from store-bought items used by amateurs, Marano said.

Your best bet this holiday season? See a fireworks show put on by professionals, he suggested.

RELATED: Essex County 4th Of July Fireworks Guide 2021 (UPDATED)

Here are some easy-to-follow precautions for people who decide to use legalized fireworks this year, Saint Barnabas said:

• A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children.
• Read the package and follow instructions on lighting and extinguishing fireworks. Read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
• Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
• Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
• Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
• Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
• Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
• Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Never carry fireworks in your POCKET or shoot them into METAL or GLASS containers.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.

If someone does get burned, here’s what to do next, the hospital said:

• Cool all burns with tepid to cool water. Continue flushing the area for up to 10 minutes. Do not apply ice, ointments, butter or other home remedies. Remove all clothing or garments to reduce the contact time with the hot items.
• Cover affected areas with a clean dry cloth, towel or blanket to protect the burn and minimize pain.
• Seek immediate medical attention, especially in burns involving children and older adults and in cases where skin is sloughing.

“Treating a significant burn on your own can lead to serious complications,” Marano said. “Your skin is the first line of defense against infection.”

“Burns should be examined and treated by a physician, especially when it affects those that are very young or very advanced in age,” Marano added.

For more information about fire safety and burn prevention visit www.njburncenter.com.

RELATED: How To Keep People And Pets Safe During 4th Of July Fireworks

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