by Nick Frontera

Created on: July 05, 2009

I am so distraught every year to hear of freak accidents with fireworks. Here someone is, supposed to be enjoying and celebrating a great day, only to have it become the worst of their lives; and for what? Is it worth it to not follow precautions; to loose a hand, potentially a life? You want to remove the dud firework and next thing you know you're in a hospital bed with a burnt face, scarred for life. Everyone believes it could never happen to them, and that they'll disregard saftey only to let it ruin their lives forever. It is an absolute neccesity to follow all safety precautions, because veering away from them could be the worst thing you'll ever do.

1) Children- Children are too frequently mindless and overcome with excitment around this time of year; the fourth of July. They do erratic things and too often get into things they shouldn't be getting into. Primarily, don't keep lighters in reach of children. They start flickering things until something extreme could happen. Most especially keep them calm during a fireworks display. Don't admit them to run around by the fireworks, for this could lead to something devistating, especially for a kid who doesn't quite understand the danger of fireworks.

2)Distance of Spectators- Some state laws ban the use of the large fireworks that you might see at at city display. These types of fireworks shouldn't be for personal use if your state doesn't allow it. Keep it that way. There's a reason, and personally, I think small ones look cooler. So just play it safe. These tiny, though potentially harmful, fireworks shoot light into the sky. Keep a more than adequate radius away from the line of fire. Trust me, fireworks look exactly the same weather you're two feet away or a couple yards. You won't miss anything from a distance away, and on top of that, you're safe.

3)Extinguishing Source- There's always potential for a firework to go wrong. Fire may come down and ignite your grass, which won't put a cherry on the top of you're holiday. What are you going to do if it spreads and your shoe won't do anything to stop the expansion? You're out of luck then. Just take the extra precautionary step and have a couple of watering cans near the display sight. It won't kill you to fill some cans up with a hose, and besides, it takes only seconds.

4)Let It Be- So you light a firework, and nothing happens. It could be a dud or it could be it just hasn't ignited yet. Don't be the hero to find out, because you could discover the true content in an unpleasant way. Just let it chill there and move on to another. If at the end of the display it still has not went off, you're safe. But come on everyone. If you're going up to see if it's a dud or not, how smart does that sound, because if it's not, you're in big trouble.

Fireworks are beautiful, fun, and unites family, friends, and neighbors. The perfect ending to you're day will be a great one if you just follow safety precautions that are not hard at all to follow. It won't kill you to be safe... literally.

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