Moorestown Police Offer 4th Of July Fireworks Safety Tips

MOORESTOWN, NJ — With the 4th of July holiday weekend fast approaching, the Moorestown Police Department are reminding residents to play it safe around fireworks.

During the July 4th holiday, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured annually while using consumer fireworks, the National Fire Protection Service reports. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks, such as devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.

In 2019, fireworks were responsible for approximately 10,000 injuries and 12 non-occupational, fireworks-related deaths, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

To minimize the chance of injuries from fireworks, the Moorestown Police Department offers these safety tips:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Make sure fireworks are legal for use in NJ before buying them or using them
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• 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 plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.