Fireworks Safety

Having become a yearly tradition to many families and especially to amuse young children with the sound and colours, fireworks can sometimes turn into an unplanned trip to the hospital's emergency room. Children need to be guided accordingly and always with adult supervision, most especially at an age when they don't completely understand the correct way of handling fireworks. Having caused burns and injuries, fireworks are not toys!

It is absolutely important to review safety procedures before allowing a child (especially under the age of 12) to handle any form of fireworks such as to never use this indoors but in an open area outside that will not hurt any passers-by. Also have a bucket of water close by or any form of extinguisher just in case of any emergencies. And please! Never experiment with homemade fireworks or hold them in your hand when lighting and lit! Even safer to have children wear some sort of eye protection for precaution. During clean-up, never have children pick up the pieces just in case some may still be ignited and can explode at any time. Always follow instructions, manufacturers put them on the label for a reason - always read carefully and follow accordingly, use only as intended.

For guaranteed legal and safety fireworks plus beautiful artistic designs, always purchase from established companies and manufacturers such as Pyroworks International, a Cebu-based pyrotechnic company, which is globally recognized by the International Fireworks Society and certified by Pyrotechnics Guild International Inc. Branches are located at Elizabeth Mall, Banilad Town Centre, Park Mall, S&R, SM City Cebu (LGF Gate 3, UGF near Ace Hardware and on the 2F near Three Hearts) SM Consolacion, SM Hypermart, Shopwise and Gaisano Country Mall or you may check www.pyro-works.com for more information. You may also want to catch the Pyroworks show today at SM City Cebu.

A time when we are meant to enjoy the sounds and colours of fireworks, let's always keep our children safe by not forgetting to introduce them to the better and safer way in handling — here's to a fantastic 2014 ahead!