As we are approaching the festive season ,fireworks or rather fire crackers will be the order of day with people celebrating the dawn of a new year.
The coming new year’s eve will surely see a lot of people lighting up firecrackers to celebrate the arrival of 2016.To be really safe, we should avoid using firecrackers entirely and stick to something less risky like trumpets and other noisemakers. But this is really mythical isn't it?.
This edition of our science and technology segment will be looking at how fire crackers can be safely used to maximize the fun associated with them.
For those of you who cannot avoid the fun and thrill of using firecrackers, here are some safety tips that will help you and your family or friends have a safe and fun new year’s eve celebrations.
Assign someone who will be responsible for the over-all safety of those who will be engage in revelry. Designate him or her the “Fire Guard”.
Your Fire Guard can be an adult member of the family/group who will not be in any way involved in igniting firecrackers or lighting up sparklers.
The designated Fire Watcher will act as the official “safety officer” for the New Year’s eve celebration and should perform the following tasks:
- Watch out for any unsafe actions, these can be deviations from recommended firecracker ignition procedures; holding firecrackers; pointing or throwing firecrackers at another person, experimenting, altering the fuse, mixing black powder and other chemicals, and use of cigarettes while using firecrackers.
- Inspect and ensure safety in the following areas: firing area (or an area where firecrackers are used) and fall-out area (area where debris from pyrotechnics are expected to fall).
Here are some safety tips to ensure that you safely enjoy using fireworks:
- Children should never be allowed to play with firecrackers, even with adult supervision.
- Do not use firecrackers near rocks, bottles that may cause dangerous projectiles and flying, Launch pads for rockets should be properly secured ,Storage of firecrackers should be away from any open flames.
- The Fire Guard should monitor closely where the firecrackers may land or rockets landing to light materials or highly combustible materials.
- Immediately extinguish small fires or embers. Prepare incipient firefighting equipment (several water buckets with dipper, bucket with sand, portable fire extinguisher). These should be pre-positioned in the area where firecrackers are used.
- Render safe all unexploded firecrackers by pouring water immediately so that it cannot be used by children who might pick them up in the morning.
- Set off fireworks in clear, open areas with no overhead obstructions. Check the area ahead of time, during daylight hours
- Keep your head and body away from the top of the rocket or shell. Never look into a tube if a shell fails to ignite. Don’t hold lighted fireworks in your hand. Light just one shell, rocket or firecracker at a time.
- Light fireworks with an extended butane lighter. Light the fuse only at the very tip. If you are igniting fireworks in the dark, use a flashlight or other non-flammable light source so you can see clearly.
- Assist others who might need first aid (if you are trained). Prepare a first aid kit (for minor wounds and burns). Identify the nearest hospital as well as a mode of emergency transport (on-standby vehicle)
- Call the nearest Fire Station in case there is an uncontrollable fire caused by the fireworks. Make sure to have the number of nearest Fire Station in your area.
We hope you enjoy your festive celebrations, and always remember, SAFETY FIRST!
-Technomag