Tips for staying safe around fireworks this New Year’s Eve

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — New Year’s Eve is just two days away and one of the most common ways to ring in the new year is with fireworks.

However, its important to remember how dangerous fireworks can be.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks cause nearly 20,000 fires in the US every year.

More than half of the injuries caused by fireworks are to the hands, fingers, and legs.

Brooke Sasser is a fire and life safety educator with the Wilmington Fire Department.

She said there are several alternatives to fireworks that people can enjoy.

“So some safe alternatives that you can use instead of fireworks include glow sticks, those are fun for young kids,” Sasser said. “And then there’s lots of fireworks shows on the television that you can watch and participate in.”

If you do decide to set off fireworks, Sasser said it’s important to stay a safe distance back, especially if young kids are around.

Kids ages 14 and under account for nearly 40 percent of the injuries caused by fireworks, while sparklers account for around a quarter of all emergency room fireworks injuries.

Sasser said there are safe ways to dispose of fireworks if you set them off.

“The best thing to probably do is to put them in a bucket of water, leave them overnight, make sure they’re fully out and nothing is going to go off, and then dispose of them the next day.”

Legal fireworks in the state include sparklers, fountains, and novelty fireworks items that do *not explode, spin, or leave the ground.