The Fourth of July is a time for celebration across the country, and here in Johnston County – fireworks are a crowd favorite each year. With many area Independence Day celebrations being cancelled, you may be tempted to have your own firework show. While fireworks can be fun to watch, they can also be very dangerous.
In 2018, from June 22 to July 22, a one-month period; there was an estimated 2,016 injuries to children ages 14 and under involving fireworks. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 36 percent of the people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15.
“Don’t ever let kids play with fireworks or sparklers,” says Jennifer Williams, Safe Kids Johnston County coordinator. “The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch them at a community event where professionals handle them,” says Mrs. Williams. Safe Kids also recommends that adults never use fireworks when children are present.
Fireworks, including sparklers and flares, can cause serious burns as well as blast injuries that can permanently impair vision and hearing. “Teach your children how to call 911 in an emergency. Also teach them what to do if their clothing catches on fire – ‘stop, drop and roll,’” adds Mrs. Williams.
Where permitted by law, fireworks should be handled and used in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and all warning labels. Local area activities that have not been cancelled:
- Benson: Saturday, July 4th – 9:00 pm
- Cleveland: Saturday, July 4th – 9;00 pm
- Selma: Thursday, July 2nd – 9:15 pm
- Kenly – Saturday, July 4th – 9:00pm at Kenly 95 Petro, 923 Johnston Parkway, Kenly (off I-95 at Exit 106). Kenly Police are urging people to stay around their vehicles and in groups of 10 or less.
For more information about fireworks safety and burn prevention, contact 919-975-2521 or visit www.safekids.org.
Safe Kids Johnston County works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children ages 1 to 14. Safe Johnston County is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Johnston County was founded in 2009 and is led by the Partnership for Children of Johnston County.
