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July is Fireworks Month!

blue fireworks

Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades, and fireworks. The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home. They may be legal but they are not safe.

Many people die and thousands are injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents each year. An estimated 1,200injuries come from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers.

Additionally, fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, including 1,300 structure fires and 300 vehicle fires.

Fun Facts:

  • The earliest documentation of fireworks dates back to 7th century China. They were invented more than 2000 years ago in China. China is the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world. 90% of all fireworks originate from there.
  • Dreaming about fireworks means that you like to be the center of attention and are showing off to others. It also symbolizes enthusiasm and exhilaration.
  • The fireworks were used to accompany many festivities, scare off evil spirits and promote prosperity.
  • Queen Elizabeth was so fascinated with fireworks that she created an honorary title, "Fire Master of England" for the individual who created the best fireworks.
  • The word for firework in Japanese, 'hanabi', which actually means "fire-flower".
  • A rocket can reach speeds of 150 mph, however, the shell can reach as high as 200 meters.
  • A sparkler burns at a temperature over 15 times the boiling point of water. Three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blowtorch.
  • Static electricity in synthetic clothing can set off firecrackers. People making firecrackers wear only cotton clothing while making firecrackers.
  • Half of all firework injuries are to children under the age of 16.
  • At first, fireworks were only orange and white. In the Middle Ages, new colors were achieved by adding different salts. The hardest color to create is blue.
  • A record-breaking 56,000 firework rockets were launched simultaneously in a spectacular opening to the Plymouth, UK Fireworks Championships by Scientist Roy Lowry.
  • A string of firecrackers that went on and on, lasting 22 hours, marked the New Years day celebrations in Hong Kong in 1996.

Safety Tips

  • Young children should never handle fireworks
  • Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
  • Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
  • Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
  • Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
  • Never light them indoors
  • Only use them away from people, animals, houses, and flammable material
  • Never point or throw fireworks at people or animals
  • Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
  • Never ignite devices in a container
  • Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
  • Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
  • Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire
  • Never use illegal fireworks

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