Don’t let dangerous sparks stand between your family and a wonderful Fourth of July celebration. Dr. Barry Gilmore, medical director of Emergency Services at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital provides parents with some good safety guidelines for the holiday weekend. Following them can help keep your holiday festivities enjoyable and safe. Read his advice below.

Now that summer is here, thoughts turn to the bright and colorful fireworks displays that take place on the Fourth of July. While many families gather at community parks or organized events to view professional fireworks shows, some families hold their own festivities in neighborhoods and backyards. Every year, more than 3,000 children age 14 and younger are treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, and children ages 10 to 14 account for most of these incidents.

Sparklers, while often considered the safest type of fireworks, join firecrackers and rockets as those causing the bulk of emergency room treated injuries. Fireworks-related injuries usually involve the hands/fingers, eyes or head. While they are an exciting part of the celebration, no parent or child should underestimate their capability to injure if the proper precautions are not taken.

During your fireworks displays, please remember to practice caution and remember these vital safety guidelines:

·         Only adults should handle fireworks. Tell children that they should leave the area immediately if their friends are using fireworks and keep a bucket of water handy.

·         Discuss safety procedures with children. Teach children to “stop, drop and roll” if their clothes catch fire. Make sure they know how to call 9-1-1. Show them how to put out fireworks by using water or a fire extinguisher.

·         Read labels and carefully follow instructions.

·         Never use fireworks indoors.

·         Be sure spectators are out of range before lighting fireworks.

·         Never aim or throw fireworks at another person.

·         Never place your face or any other body part over fireworks.

·         Never try to re-ignite fireworks that malfunction.

·         Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

·         Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and flammable materials.

Fire Prevention Week is October 4- 10, 2009 and this year's theme is "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned!" Safe Kids joins the National Fire Protection Association in encouraging parents and caregivers to learn the important fire and burn safety tips.  Visit fire prevention at www.safekids.org