Fireworks Safety at Home: How to Treat Burns and Injuries
Amanda Lewis First Aid

Fireworks Safety: How to Handle Burns and Injuries at Home

Fireworks Safety: How to Handle Burns and Injuries at Home

Fireworks are fun—but they can also be dangerous. Each year, people get hurt using them. Most injuries happen at home. The good news? You can treat many of them if you know what to do.

Here’s how to stay safe and handle injuries the right way.

Common Firework Injuries

First, know what to expect. Fireworks can cause:

  • Burns (especially on hands or face)

  • Cuts from sparks or debris

  • Eye injuries

  • Hearing damage from loud blasts

Knowing the risks helps you prepare.

First Aid for Burns

Burns are the most common injury. Some are minor, while others are serious. Here’s what to do:

For minor burns:

  1. Cool the area. Run cool (not cold) water over the burn for 10–15 minutes.

  2. Don’t use ice. It can damage the skin.

  3. Cover it. Use a clean, dry cloth or sterile bandage.

  4. Avoid ointments or butter. These can trap heat.

  5. Watch for blisters. Don’t pop them.

For serious burns:

  • If the burn is large, deep, or on the face, hands, or genitals—call 911.

  • Don’t remove stuck clothing.

  • Keep the person calm and cover the burn with a clean cloth.

First Aid for Cuts and Scrapes

Sometimes, fireworks explode too close. Sharp pieces can cause cuts.

For minor cuts:

  1. Wash your hands. This prevents infection.

  2. Stop the bleeding. Press gently with a clean cloth.

  3. Clean the wound. Use water and mild soap.

  4. Apply a bandage. Keep it clean and dry.

  5. Watch for infection. Redness, swelling, or pus are warning signs.

Seek help if:

  • The cut is deep or won’t stop bleeding.

  • It’s near the eye.

  • You see signs of infection after a few days.

What About Eye Injuries?

Never rub the eye. Don’t try to remove anything stuck in it. Cover it gently with a clean cloth and get medical help right away.

When to Call for Help

Not sure if it’s serious? Here’s when to seek medical attention:

  • Burns larger than your palm

  • Burns on the face, hands, or groin

  • Trouble breathing

  • Signs of infection

  • Bleeding that won’t stop

  • Loss of vision or serious eye pain

Tips to Prevent Injuries

  • Keep water nearby—like a hose or bucket.

  • Never relight a “dud” firework.

  • Don’t let kids handle fireworks.

  • Light one at a time, then step back.

  • Wear safety glasses.

Final Thoughts

Fireworks are exciting, but safety comes first. Know the risks. Be prepared to treat injuries. And don’t wait to call for help if something feels wrong.

Enjoy the show—but keep it safe.

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Red Cross CPR for Infants and babies children
Amanda Lewis Uncategorized

CPR for Babies and Children: What’s Different?

When every second counts, knowing how to perform CPR correctly can save a life. But CPR isn’t one-size-fits-all. Babies and children aren’t just small adults—their bodies are different, and so is the way you help them. Here’s what you need to know.

First, Know the Basics

CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It combines chest compressions with rescue breaths to keep blood and oxygen flowing to the brain and other vital organs. In adults, the focus is often on compressions. But with infants and children, rescue breaths matter more.

Why? Because in kids, cardiac arrest is usually caused by breathing problems. Their hearts stop because they can’t get enough oxygen—not because of heart disease, like in adults. So fixing the airway and breathing is crucial.

Key Differences: Babies vs. Children vs. Adults
1. Check for Response

  • Babies (under 1 year): Tap the foot and shout.

  • Children (1–puberty): Tap the shoulder and ask loudly, “Are you OK?”

  • Adults: Same as with children, but usually less fragile.

2. Call for Help—But When?

  • If you’re alone with a child or baby: Give 2 minutes of CPR first, then call 911.

  • If someone else is there: Have them call immediately while you start CPR.

  • With adults: Call 911 first, then begin CPR.

This slight difference could save precious seconds.

3. Airway and Breathing

  • Babies: Use a gentle head tilt. Don’t push too far back—it can block the airway. Cover both the mouth and nose with your mouth when giving breaths.

  • Children: Use the head-tilt, chin-lift method. Pinch the nose and breathe into the mouth, just like with adults—but with less force.

  • Adults: Same method, but bigger breaths.

4. Chest Compressions

  • Babies: Use two fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line. Press down about 1.5 inches deep.

  • Children: Use one or two hands depending on the size of the child. Push down about 2 inches.

  • Adults: Use both hands. Push at least 2 inches deep.

Compression rate? Always 100–120 beats per minute, like the rhythm of Stayin’ Alive.

Why These Differences Matter

A baby’s chest is tiny and fragile. Too much force can cause injury. But too little won’t help. The same goes for breathing—small lungs need small breaths.

Children may need more force than infants, but still less than adults. That’s why CPR training stresses different techniques for different ages.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to perform CPR on a child or infant could mean the difference between life and death. It only takes minutes to learn, and it lasts a lifetime.

Take a course. Practice. Review it often. You never know when you’ll be the one who can step in—and save a life.

You can sign up for a course with RESQ & Arise here: Sign up for a class