As Eden Prairie residents prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July, police are urging caution around fireworks – especially those that look deceptively harmless. Sparklers, for example, can burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt some metals.
In a July 1 blog post, the Eden Prairie Police Department cited national data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which reported eight fireworks-related deaths and about 9,700 injuries in the United States in 2023. The most commonly injured body parts were hands and fingers, followed by the head, face and ears. Teenagers ages 15 to 19 had the highest rate of injuries, followed by children ages 5 to 9.
To help residents stay safe this holiday, the CPSC recommends the following:
- Never allow young children to ignite or play with fireworks, including sparklers.
- Keep a bucket of water or garden hose nearby in case of fire.
- Light fireworks one at a time, then move away quickly.
- Don’t try to relight fireworks that failed to go off. Douse them with water and dispose of them.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
- Never aim or throw fireworks at another person.
- Soak spent fireworks before discarding them to prevent fires.
- Never use fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Eden Prairie police also reminded residents that some fireworks are prohibited in Minnesota. According to state statute, it is illegal to sell, possess or use certain fireworks, including aerial and explosive devices. Violations are considered misdemeanors.
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