Fireworks safety keeps people from getting burned Published June 23, 2003 By 2nd Lt. Dustin Hart Air Mobility Command Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFPN) -- While they may not be powerful enough to take out enemy aircraft, fireworks need to be treated with the same amount of respect as military weapons, according to Air Mobility Command safety officials here."Fireworks aren't designed to be as powerful as military flares and weapons," said Harold Lasell, chief of weapon safety for AMC. "But they work along the same concepts and are made with similar ingredients."According to the U.S. Consumer Product and Safety Commission, fireworks were involved in four deaths and an estimated 9,500 injuries in 2001.Air Force officials want to make sure their people do not become part of those statistics.The Air Force prohibits airmen and their families from using fireworks on base, with the exception of sparklers. Base fireworks shows are contracted out to professional pyrotechnic teams.Air Force officials have also emphasized educating people on fireworks safety, especially around the Fourth of July holiday, said Tech Sgt. John Foreman, superintendent of AMC weapon safety. This includes putting fireworks safety information into base newspapers and magazines and getting commanders involved in educating their people.Foreman credits this education for the low fireworks mishap rate recently in the Air Force."Safety education teaches people to use fireworks correctly," he said. "When people start doing fancy things with fireworks, that's when they get hurt."While all fireworks can cause injuries or damage when handled improperly, bottle rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers remain some of the most dangerous, Foreman said.“These fireworks have the potential to spread fire and a lot of damage to a wide area," said Lasell.According to the U.S. Eye Injury Registry, almost 70 percent of all fireworks-related eye injuries were caused by bottle rockets.Roman candles and firecrackers are comparable to military aircraft flares and small-arms ammunition, Lasell said.Knowing the surrounding area and having adult supervision are the two most important things to keep in mind when using these or any fireworks, according to Foreman.He warned to never let children use fireworks, including sparklers, without direct adult supervision.Children younger than 15 accounted for approximately half of all fireworks-related injuries last year, according to the commission.Also, Foreman said checking for combustible materials around the area where the fireworks will be used prevents the possibility of secondary fires.He said people should never use fireworks while consuming alcohol."When you mix fireworks with alcohol consumption, you're going to have problems, and somebody is going to get injured," said Foreman.Wearing appropriate clothing is also important when using fireworks."When you use fireworks, you are going to have sparks and fire," Foreman said. "Wearing long-sleeve clothing and protective eyewear can protect you from being burned. But avoid wearing 100-percent nylon or rayon because they are 100-percent combustible. A spark will cause (nylon or rayon) to catch on fire, and it will melt to your skin, causing worse burns."It is a federal law for fireworks to have safety requirements on the label, Lasell said. He advised fireworks users to read each label carefully. If there is no label, he said the fireworks are most likely illegal and should not be purchased or used."Before setting off (fireworks), do a risk assessment," Foreman said. "Operational risk management is not just for while you are at work. It applies 24 hours a day, seven days a week." (Courtesy of AMC News Service)