Tampa Fire releases firework injury reports | News

Tampa, Florida -- On Friday, Tampa Fire Rescue released a breakdown of injury reports related to firework activity from the Fourth of July.

In all, there were a total of 4 unnecessary injuries:

- Around 1:25 a.m., a 24-year-old man suffered severe injuries when a firework explosed in his hand on Fairview Height West. 

- Around 8:48 p.m., a child, between 5 and 14 years old, suffered serious bleeding due to an exploding firework that hit their foot on Ellicott Street East.

- Around 10:22 p.m., an 18-year-old girl was hit in the mouth by a firework on Gladys Street East.

Tampa Fire Rescue wants to emphasize to those who will continue to celebrate this weekend the importance of firework safety.

Fireworks Safety Tips:

- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

- Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.

- Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents remember young children can suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.

- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.

- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

- Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

- After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

- Make sure fireworks are legal before buying or using them.