Add more boom, less burn to your family’s celebration

Posted in Holidays & Seasonal
by besttech

Amy Kossoff Smith The Business of Motherhood

With July Fourth comes backyard barbeques, hot dogs and hamburgers, family outings, excessive heat and, of course, the grand finale: fireworks. The bright colors and sparkling display are a feast for any sight, especially for young kids who are fearless and more prone to accidents. With this holiday comes some important safety concerns for parents.

The statistics regarding fireworks injuries are truly shocking. According to The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP):

There were 9,200 people treated for fireworks-related injuries in emergency departments in 2006 (the latest data available). The number of incidents is decreasing slightly, but still a concern.

Some 33 percent of the injured were children under age 15.

60 percent of fireworks injuries occur in the month surrounding July 4th.

Sparklers alone, which may burn at temperatures higher than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, were responsible for more than 20 percent of fireworks injuries.

More than half of fireworks injuries were burns.

The ACEP and the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks have started a public safety awareness campaign. You can view their public service announcements on YouTube and use it as a teachable moment with your kids they’re fantastic. (Links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?vZAEzZVPsP3Q&featurerelated and http://www.youtube.com/watch?vPcFuIEwbITA.)

A while back, I posted some burn tips on my blog (www.momtinilounge.com), provided courtesy of the folks who represent Burn Jel Plus. Their tips really catch my eye, because I recently picked up a serving dish I left on what I thought was a cool burner, and the pain was so excrutiating, that I was in the drugstore debating between this actual product and a trip to the ER, and I will say, it really helped (and saved me what could have been an excrutiating wait in the ER)! They just sent me some very timely safety tips (below) for fireworks so there’s more BOOM and less BURN in your family (my pun, hope you like it!).

Safety Tips – Sparklers and Fireworks:

—Never allow children to light fireworks and supervise use of sparklers by older children.

—If fireworks are banned in your area, do not use them. They are illegal for a reason and can easily start a fire.

—Keep a supply of water or an extinguisher within easy reach.

—After items are ignited, keep them at a safe distance.

—Young children should never handle sparklers.

—Thoroughly read all package directions before use.

—Keep pets indoors. Their hearing is extremely sensitive to the thunderous sounds of fireworks. They could easily sprint free and become wounded or lost.

Safety Tips – Grilling in the back yard:

—Follow manufacturers’ directions when using grills.

—Use only commercial starting fluid to light charcoals. Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids.

—Never add starter fluid to hot coals. They could catch fire and explode.

—Thoroughly extinguish hot coals before disposal.

—Supervise children at all times when grills are in use.

—Establish a three-foot “Keep Away Zone” for children around grills.

—Do not wear loose-fitting clothing. Tie or pin up long hair.

Editor’s Note: This is in no way meant to substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of a doctor if you are injured. In an emergency situation or on a holiday, if you are seriously burned, visit the nearest emergency room for treatment. Enjoy the tips, and have a safe red, white & blue day with your family!

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Amy Kossoff Smith, Founder of The Business of Motherhood, is a nationally recognized Mompreneur who owns a Web site, www.BusinessofMotherhood.com, and blog, www.MomTiniLounge.com. Available 24/7, just like Moms, the Web sites offer parenting tips, resources, and a host of ways to manage the job of motherhood.