State Fire Marshal’s Office offers fireworks safety tips to keep revelers out of the emergency room

By New Mexico Public Regulation Commission 

The ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ of a fireworks display can quickly turn to an ‘ouch’ if things go horribly wrong.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year there were nearly 13,000 fireworks-related injuries nationwide.  Of the injuries sustained, 70 percent were male and 30 percent were female.  Halfof the injured were younger than 20 years of age, and most of those werechildren 10 to 14.  The vast majority of injuries were burns, primarily to the hands, fingers, head, face, eyes and ears.

Even the seemingly innocuous sparkler can burn at 2,000 degrees and last year caused 1,200 injuries.  

The State Fire Marshal’s Office, which regulates the distribution and sale of fireworks in New Mexico, says fireworks-related injury, death, and firescan be avoided by following a few safety tips:

Fire marshals say disposing fireworks properly is critical.  Throwing away leftover debris, duds, or unused fireworks can be a fire hazard.  The most effective way to dispose fireworks is to pick up all debris, dunk used fireworks in water for at least 15 minutes or preferably overnight, wrap soaked fireworks in plastic, and take them to a solid waste facility. Dousing fireworks in lakes, ponds, or rivers is discouraged because the chemicals are harmful to the ecosystem.

“We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday and ask people to remember lives and property can be protected by being smart and taking simple precautions in handling fireworks,” said State Fire Marshal Don Shainin.