In This Edtion

Safety Tips:

• Personal Safety: The Dangers of Fireworks
• Statistics: Fireworks by the Numbers
• Summer Safety: Keeping our Backyard Pools Safe
• One Opinion: Open to Discussion

Personal Safety: The Dangers of Fireworks

As we head into the summer months, many of us will make plans to attend at least one town, church or community celebration that will culminate in a colorful, if not loud, fireworks display. Fireworks have long been a staple of summer as well as a perennial favorite among kids.

Unfortunately, fireworks displays are also dangerous, particularly those staged by amateurs (see information provided in Statistics, below). While this doesn’t mean that you should avoid the shows altogether, you should exercise some caution to ensure your family’s safety.

First, remember that fireworks are considered to be a type of explosive. Having said that, leave the explosions to the professionals. Do not - no matter how tempting the opportunity - attempt to detonate these explosives on your own. While some fireworks (particularly those classified for consumer use) appear to be relatively harmless, there is always the chance of malfunction, which can have tragic consequences. Likewise, steer clear of homemade fireworks; not only are they totally devoid of any safety requirements, they likely will not have handling instructions which immediately increases the potential for an accident.

If you are at a gathering where consumer rated fireworks are present, be sure you and your children remain a safe distance away. Remind your children to never touch the devices, even if they are still in their wrappers. Better yet, ask the host to store the explosives out of sight (and reach) of the children. You should also instruct your children to alert you or another adult immediately if they see another child handling fireworks.

When viewing a public fireworks display, stay at least 500 feet from the staging area and be sure to obey all barriers and closed off areas. If debris from the display lands near you, move away. Further, if unexploded debris lands near you, move away immediately and alert the local fire authority. Do not, under any circumstances, touch the debris.

As in most things, employing a little extra caution can make the difference between an enjoyable fireworks experience and one that can end in a visit to the hospital. Take the time to take the necessary precautions and enjoy the show!

Statistics: Fireworks by the Numbers

Here are some statistics obtained from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) which provide a harsh reminder about the dangers of fireworks:

8 - The number of states that ban all forms of consumer fireworks (Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont).

88.5 - The percentage of all fireworks injuries during 2001 that were caused by ‘legal’ fireworks (defined by the NFPA as those that comply with specific construction, chemical composition, and labeling regulations.)

1,000 - The temperature to which a sparkler (long regarded as a child-safe form of pyrotechnics) can heat.

9,500 - The estimated number of people receiving emergency room treatment for fireworks related injuries during 2001.

24,200 - The number of fireworks related fires reported during 1999. The actual number is probably higher as many fires are not reported to authorities.

20,000,000 - The average annual value of damage or property loss caused by fireworks-related fires in recent years.

For more information, visit the NFPA’s website at www.nfpa.org.

Summer Safety: Keeping our Backyard Pools Safe

There’s nothing like a backyard pool. For many of us, it serves as a daily meeting place for our kids and their friends and helps us to cope with the heat that is an inevitable part of summer.

As the owner of a backyard swimming pool, you undertake a tremendous responsibility each time your children and their friends jump into the water. Here are a few ways to help you maintain order (and peace of mind):

• Establish rules. Decide what is and isn’t acceptable behavior. If diving or excessive horseplay (like holding someone underwater) makes you uncomfortable, then don’t allow it. Go over the rules before the pool is officially declared open for the season and make it clear that anyone not abiding by your rules will be asked to leave.
• Make sure your kid’s guests are competent swimmers. If they are not, insist that a parent accompany them in the pool.
• Restrict access to the pool when it is not in use. If there is a fence around the pool, make sure the gate is closed and locked; if there are steps leading to the pool’s deck, make sure they are raised and locked.
• If your older children are in the pool, try to keep younger children on the sidelines. Little swimmers usually don’t have the strength or endurance to keep up with the big kids and can easily tire. In addition, smaller kids often become (albeit unintentional) victims of bigger kids’ horseplay.

Finally, stay in the immediate area whenever there are children in the pool; your being able to immediately react to any situation will play a big part in helping to prevent accidents from occurring.

One Opinion, Open to Discussion:

I’m not sure what some parents are thinking.

Let me explain.

About three months ago, two gas powered scooters made their debut in our neighborhood. Piloted by 12 year-old drivers, these cute, albeit noisy, little cousins of the moped zip up and down the street from the moment their owners step off the school bus until nearly 10 p.m.

So, what’s the problem? Well, there are a few actually.

First, the scooters aren’t street legal. Period. I even checked with the local police department who verified my suspicions.

Second, neither the drivers nor their passengers wear a safety helmet. Ever.

Ordinarily, I’m a live and let live type person. However, lately, I’ve come to understand that sometimes this isn’t always the way to be. I fear for the safety of these kids, yet, apparently their parents don’t. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen these kids travel up and down the street too absorbed in their own conversations to give even passing consideration to what may be going on around them. One neighbor told me she narrowly missed one of them when he launched into a u-turn without even so much as a glance over his shoulder. I’m guessing that if their parents did care, these kids would confine their travels to the sidewalks, helmets securely buckled in place.

So, what’s a concerned citizen to do?

I hesitate to discuss this matter with the parents because, as another neighbor pointed out, that’s the best way to make my home the target of this year’s Mischief Night pranks. Several neighbors have called the police, but somehow, they never catch the kids "in the act". So, we continue to endure the frequent noise and keep our fingers crossed that we’re not the unfortunate driver that accidentally hits one of these kids.

So, until the parents come to their senses (providing the police don’t actually put an end to this first), I’ll be the one driving through the neighborhood at a snail’s pace, wondering what these particular parents are thinking.

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