TIP OF THE WEEK

                                                                    June 29, 2007

Did you know...?

 

Most reported fireworks injuries can be avoided. 

 

Every year, approximately 10,800 people are treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries to the fingers, hands, eyes and legs.  Children between the ages of 10 and 14 had the highest injury rate, followed by children 5 to 9 years old and then teenagers and young adults 15-19 years old.  Over a third of the injuries suffered from fireworks were from small firecrackers, 21% were from bottle rockets and 20% were caused by sparklers. 

 

Children should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks.  Adults should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.  Over 11,000 fires each year are caused by fireworks.

 

The National Safety Council and OHS-COMPCARE recommend that the best way to safely enjoy your 4th of July Holiday is to watch a public fireworks display conducted by professionals.  However, if fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to host a fireworks display of your own, please be sure to follow important safety tips.

 

To help make your 4th of July Holiday more safe and enjoyable, follow these guidelines when using fireworks:

  1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
  2. Buy from reliable sellers.
  3. Never allow young children (children under age 12) to handle fireworks.
  4. Older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision.
  5. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
  6. Read and follow the instructions on each firework.
  7. Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
  8. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
  9. Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.  Wait 15-20 minutes and then soak firework in a bucket to prevent fire from possible malfunction.
  10. Don't put fireworks in pockets, and never throw them.
  11. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators, homes, and flammable materials.
  12. Keep water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that malfunction or in the event of a fire.
  13. If fireworks are banned due to drought issues, follow the law!
  14. Make sure that all fires are put out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

 

Don’t forget about your pets this 4th of July Holiday!  Pets don’t like fireworks.  The flames and noise bother them.  To keep your pets safe over the 4th of July Holiday, keep them indoors.  Make sure they cannot get out through open windows and doors.  Pets should wear collars with their information attached in the event that they are scared and run off.  Make sure they have plenty of food and water and toys to distract them from the noise outside.  Pets are family too and should be kept safe and comfortable this holiday season.

 

To learn more about firework safety visit the National Safety Council web site at:   http://www.nsc.org/library/facts/firewrks.htm or the National Council on Fireworks Safety website at: http://www.fireworksafety.com/home.htm.

 

OHS-COMPCARE would like to wish you and your family a Happy and Safe

4th of July Holiday!!!

 

To learn more about OHS-COMPCARE, contact our Client Services Team at (816) 561-2105 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com.  You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.

 

*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*

 

OHS-COMPCARE has eight (8) area clinical facilities:

Blue Springs Clinical Facility

Independence Clinical Facility

Johnson County Clinical Facility

St. Joseph Clinical Facility

801 NW St. Mary’s Drive

19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200

10415 Lackman Road

904 Edmond Street

Blue Springs, MO 64104

Independence, MO 64055

Lenexa, KS 66219

St. Joseph, MO 64501

816-224-9121

816-478-9299

913-495-9905

816-233-7702

 

After Hours Available

 

 

 

 

 

 

KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility

KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility

Wyandotte County Clinical Facility

Grandview Clinical Facility

1650 Broadway

6501 East Commerce, Suite 110

1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200

13830 S Us Highway 71

Kansas City, MO 64108

Kansas City, MO 64120

Kansas City, KS  66102

Grandview, MO 64030

816-842-2020

816-483-5550

913-596-2774

816-761-4664