Polk Township Vol. Fire Dept.

Each year, between 8,000 and 13,000 people in the United States are treated for injuries associated with fireworks, and the peak period for their use is around the Fourth of July holiday. Young people are most likely to use illegal fireworks and either end up being the victims or causing fires.

To help you celebrate this Fourth of July safely, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council on Fireworks Safety are offering the following safety tips:

• Always read and follow label directions.
  
• Have an adult present.
  
• Buy from reliable sellers.
  
• Use outdoors only.
  
• Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
  
• Don't experiment or make your own fireworks.
  
• Light only one firework at a time.
  
• Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
  
• Never ever give fireworks to small children.
  
• Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trashcan.
  
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
  
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
  
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
  
• The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
  
• Stay away from illegal explosives.
  

Not sure what's legal and what's not in Indiana? Follow this link to learn more. (You'll need the Adobe Acrobat reader. You can download Adobe Acrobat free here.