What’s the 4th of July without fireworks? Cities and towns across the country host July Fourth displays that are attended by millions every year. However, some people prefer to have a more hands-on approach to fireworks. If this is you, you’ll want to be aware of the dangers of having and using fireworks, especially for child safety.

Fireworks are the creation of the ancient Chinese who are believed to have developed as early as 581 AD after they discovered how to make gunpowder. Since the chemicals and powder are explosive, the danger of injury has always been associated with fireworks, which are still produced in China to a great degree.

Children are enamored with fireworks. They love to watch them and will often try to shoot them off to have their own fireworks display. The problem, however, is that they are dangerous - especially when handled or used improperly.

* Fireworks are made from flammable materials and explosives. Due to this fact, thousands of people and pets are injured each year, some even requiring amputation. For fireworks to be safely enjoyed, they should be used only by trained professionals.

* Fireworks can cause fires and this is one of the biggest reasons for not allowing children access to them. Children can either be burned while trying to light the firework or they can accidentally catch something around them on fire.

* Fireworks should not be lit while indoors or in dry grassy areas.

* Even fireworks that don’t explode can be hazardous to children’s health. Sparklers can become so hot that after they’ve been used they can still cause first, second, and third degree burns if they’re stepped on. To avoid this problem, if you feel you must use fireworks around children, you’ll want to have an empty metal trashcan where all sparklers can be disposed after the sparks stop.

People are so used to having fireworks readily available to them that they may not pay attention to how dangerous they can be. Each year a third of all injuries due to fireworks happen to children under the age of fifteen, most of those injuries occurring to boys. Firecrackers are the worst offenders for causing injuries, followed by sparklers.

To help you keep your children safe, and still enjoy the beauty of fireworks, the simplest thing you can do is let the professionals do it. Not only can you avoid injuries, you’ll also see a much better fireworks display. And, since professional fireworks shows are free to the public, you’ll save yourself quite a bit of money. This really is the best way to enjoy fireworks and not have to worry about keeping your children safe.

Parents should take extra care in selecting toys for young children and supervising their play during the holidays, according to a leading eye surgeon on child safety.

According to Dr. Mark Borchert, director, The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, certain toys, such as BB guns, pose a particular danger for young children.

“While a BB gun pellet may not break the skin of a young child, it can puncture his eye very easily. Unfortunately, every Christmas I see young children in our emergency room who have had an eye destroyed by a BB pellet.”

The eye surgeon said parents with young children should avoid toys that shoot projectiles, have parts that fly off or can be shattered into sharp pieces. He added that scissors, rubber bands and deflated balloons — often left out at holiday time — should be collected, since they can be dangerous in the hands of younger children.

It also is a good idea to explain to a child how a new toy is properly used and to promptly throw away broken toys.

The Consumer Products and Safety Commission reports that more than 230,000 toy-related injuries are treated at U.S. emergency rooms annually. Of those injured, approximately one third were under the age of five, and three quarters were under the age of 15. More than 45 percent of injuries were to the head and face.

Dr. Borchert noted that during busy holiday times, young children are at higher risk for injuring their eyes because they often have less adult supervision.

“If you are hosting young children in your home, be sure to get furniture corner protectors for tables, cabinets and windowsills. Young children are prone to falling into low-lying objects,” he added.

If you suspect your child has suffered an eye injury look for these symptoms:

There is blood in the clear part of the eye;
Your child has obvious pain or trouble seeing;
One eye does not move as well as the other;
The eye has an unusual pupil size or shape

Source The Vision Center at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles