Henry & Stark County Health Department

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments note that celebrating the Fourth of July should be fun and safe for the entire family. Unfortunately, consumer fireworks are not only dangerous enough to spoil the fun, they are dangerous enough to take lives. You can have a great time celebrating Independence Day if you remember to keep your eyes on safety.

To help keep your Fourth of July safe this year, the Health Department offers these safe suggestions.

FIREWORKS FREE

You can ensure your childrenıs safety by supervising their activities and their environment. Host a Fourth of July party for your kids and their friends.

* Let your guests make decorations. Kids make cute decorations from crepe paper, construction paper, stickers and glue. These will provide fun and make the party look festive. Local craft or hobby shops have the supplies and lots of good ideas.

* Glo-sticks, glo-ropes and glo-jewelry provide safe and fun ways to brighten an evening.

* Flashlights, plain or with filters made by wrapping the flashlight in colored cellophane, can light the night in fun, safe ways.

* Neon and glow-in-the dark paint can provide both a fun afternoon project and a special evening display. Kids enjoy watching their art take on a special glow as the sky darkens.

* Novelty flashlights can be extra fun. You can buy flashlights that have mirrors to bounce the light, and changeable colored filters or optic fibers that look like sparklers but are much safer.

* Instead of attempting a risky fireworks display yourself - take the kids to your local communityıs professional fireworks show.

SAFE SOUNDS

Part of fireworksı attraction to children is the big noise that goes with them. Kids love making noise and there are lots of safe ways for them to do this.

* Step or sit on inflated balloons until they pop. Or inflate small bags. Popping the bags makes a nice, loud bang.

* Buy noisemakers from a party store. Horns, whistles, bells and cymbals will also serve as sound fun.

Health Department offers Firework Safety Suggestions!

The Henry and Stark County Health Departments' staff notes it's that time of year again - a time for Fourth of July picnics and Independence Day celebrations. To guarantee that your holiday get-togethers remain safe and happy, the Health Department staff offers the following facts on firework safety.

For example, those most often hurt in firework accidents are children less than 15 years old. And the injuries they receive include blindings, amputations, severe burns and even death.

All fireworks should carry the message, "Use only under close adult supervision." Children cannot appreciate the dangers involved, and cannot always act correctly in case of emergency.

Even the "sparkler," considered by many the ideal "safe" firework, burns at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Here are some other firework safety facts:

* Firework directions and warning labels should be read and heeded.

* Fireworks should be ignited only outdoors - away from houses, dry grass and bushes and other flammable materials.

* Fireworks should be lit one-at-a-time after everyone is out of the way. They should never be lit in metal or glass containers.

* Malfunctioning fireworks should not be relit or handled.

* Never experiment with fireworks, or mix anything with their contents.

* And finally, fireworks should always be stored in a cool, dry place.

So follow these safety suggestions and declare your independence from firework injuries and mishaps.