The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, office of the State Fire Mxrshall and Safe Kids Kansas have reminded Kansans of the importance of fireworks safety this Independence Day.

Out of 207 reported fireworks related injuries in the state in 2018m males between the ages of 9 and 34 represented 64% of the total number of injuries. Nearly half of the injuries involved children under the age of 18. hands, eyes, face and head injuries were among those reported.

“hand injuries are the most common injury seen in Kansas, at 34 percent.”Cherie Sage, Director of Safe Kids Kansas, said “It’s really important for little hands to not light fireworks. This includes sparklers, which burn at a temperature hot enough to melt glass. We encurage parents to let their little ones use glow sticks instead of sparklers.”

State Fire Marshall Doug Jorgenson said always using a long-handled lighter to ignite fireworks, lighting from a solid, flat and stable platform and making sure fireworks debris has cooled off competely before disposing are tips that can significantly lower the risk of injuries and fire.

Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said “Having a water supply handy, being prepared with first aid kits and following the laws and safety protocols are just a few ways Kansans of every age can come together for  great, safe Fourth of July.”

Other tips include:

-Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities

-Always ignite fireworks outdoors

-Light only one firework at a time

–Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks

–Store fireworks in a cool, dry place

Bottle rockets and M80s are illegal in Kansas and extremely dangerous. It is also illegal in Kansas to hsoot fireworks on or under any vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and at gas stations or any place liquid gas – including propane – is stored.