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Show Fireworks present hazards By SARAH HANSEN Fireworks have become as much a part of the Independence Day celebrations as the flag itself. According Ac-cording to the American Pyrotechnics Association, more fireworks are used in America's Fourth of July celebration than any other holiday in the world. For every commercial fireworks display, there are many more going on privately in backyards, fields and streets. Sadly, many of these fes- SEE FIREWORKS PG.A-4 r- . - , . '. -. ? ? ? ? ? ? x j '', X J I 1 - V, - ; f r t t St. v. , ' ' .--' -. Srfi ! ' r. - '. '- f. rfiyisif- s 'S :" ' ' ' f si. -,,. ; ''. f - ----- v, - I x yt : .- .-i 1 I ' - '' -r:w ....,., & . . .:.... ? -;. ,.. -.. . I i .. , .. - '": . i & 'A ". , , . &t V 5 - ' ' ----- - - " " yytf',.'-'" s-" FIREWORKS CONT. FROMA-3 tivities result in tragedy. Every year, approximately 9,000 people are injured in fireworks-related fireworks-related accidents. Nearly 50 percent of the victims are under age 15. Fireworks usually cause bums to the eyes, face and hands. The injury most often happens when the firecracker explodes in someone's hand or pocket, or is dropped on a foot. 'The Fourth of July can be one of the most dangerous times of the year said Robert Parenti, director of the Utah Safety Council. "Each year we see kids seriously injured because they mishandled Fireworks. That's why we teach fireworks safe- The Utah Safety Council recommends recom-mends education as a preventative measure. "Kids, especially young kids, need to be taught fire safety techniques," said Parenti. "We need to explain what fire is and what it can do. By teaching children that fireworks are not toys, parents can prepare their kids for a ftin, but safe, Fourth of July." Even the use of fireworks generally gen-erally considered harmless sometimes results in injury. In 1987, sparklers were responsible for 6.5 percent of the 9,000 fireworks-related fireworks-related injuries. Other miscellaneous devices such as model rockets, party poppers and blasting caps caused 3.2 percent. The Utah Safety Council has set up the following guidelines for a safe Fourth of July: Attend official fireworks celebrations; celebra-tions; this is the safest. Establish a safe viewing area outdoors, the best is at least 500 feet away from an official display site. Discuss guidelines with your children and review your safety rules together. If you choose to purchase pur-chase fireworks, establish yourself as your child's only source of fireworks, and do not purchase fireworks that do not bear a manufacturer's name. Establish emergency procedures. Teach children to "stop, drop, and roll. ' Make sure they know how to call the local fire department and ambulance service. Demonstrate how to extinguish fireworks by using us-ing water or an extinguisher. Never give fireworks to a small child. Always have an adult present. Read labels and follow directions. direc-tions. Never ignite more than one at a time. Never use fireworks indoors. Never carry fireworks in your pocket. Never re-ignite a firework that has failed to go off. Have water handy, especially if children are using sparklers. "Children need supervision," said Parenti. "Parents need to teach their children what is acceptable when dealing with fireworks in order to make the holiday both festive fes-tive and safe." This is what's left of the causeway dike that runs from the south end of Antelope Island . |