Vermont Department of Health Summer Sparkler Safety Tips to Avoid Injury
For Immediate Release: July 3, 2003
Contact: Stephanie Courcy
Vermont Department of Health
Injury Control
802-651-1978
BURLINGTON, VT—The American traditions of parades, cookouts and fireworks help us celebrate the summer season. This year, adult Vermonters can legally buy sparklers and other small glowing and smoke devices for at-home celebrations.
Sparklers can be a joyful addition to your celebrations, but without careful supervision, they can also be dangerous, causing serious burn and eye injuries.
For those who choose to use them, the Vermont Department of Health offers the following Sparkler Safety Tips:
- Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
- Older children should only be permitted to use sparklers under close adult supervision. Do not allow any running or horseplay.
- Be sure other people are out of range before lighting sparklers.
- Only light sparklers outdoors, away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
- Never try to re-light sparklers that have not fully functioned.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.
- Immerse burned sparklers in a bucket of water and discard wands when cool.
All other fireworks are illegal in Vermont, except for permitted supervised public fireworks displays.