Fireworks Safety for the Fourth of July or Any Holiday

June 23, 2016June 23, 2016 Lisa Leave a comment

The thrills and excitement that comes with the Fourth of July festivities in dazzling lights, date back to the 7^th century in China. The legendary story of the fireworks’ invention is told. It was an accident by a Chinese cook in a work field kitchen who happens to mix charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter together. (Please don’t try this!) This was during the time of the Tang Dynasty. It continues to be a part of China’s culture and has spread to many other societies throughout the world. For the people in the United States, the fourth of July is only one of the main holidays that fireworks are used in the festive activities. The dazzling display of combustible chemicals (also called gunpowder or pyrotechnics, firecrackers) mostly ignited into a spectacular explosion in a grand outdoor celebration, comes with a price. When it is not employed with safety, injuries, hospital emergencies, and even death can accompany this joyous activity.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC dot gov.) established regulations on this hazardous material because it is not used responsibly, injuries and well as fatality can occur. CPSC reports the statistics, regulations, laws, and safety guides to be viewed by the public. Just Fourth of July alone, in 2014, injuries from the types of fireworks were: 19% from sparklers, 9% reloadable shells, 20% firecrackers, 4% roman candles, 2% bottle rockets, 6% novelties, 2% multiple tubs, 1% fountains, 31% unspecified and 4% public display. It is not always children who are injured. It’s the adults between the ages 25-44 who are most likely injured, with 74% male and 26% female.

The CPSC recommends several safety features in handling fireworks in order to have a safe and joyous evening. By knowing and practicing safety in using fireworks will definitely reduce the risks of injury.

II have compiled preventive measures which can help ensure your holiday is safe and enjoyed by all who are with you:

Obey all local community ordinances in the use of fireworks. There are some states that have made fireworks, illegal. Even if the fireworks are ordered online, when they came into a state where fireworks are banned; the person ordering them can be fined if the package that is shipped is open by inspectors of contraband search.
Only responsible adults, not children, should use the firecrackers with proper care, following the cautionary label, instructions and expected performance of the fireworks. This includes the wearing of safety eyeglasses. Carry firecrackers in a container, not in your pocket. It is imperative that the responsible adult knows what to expect from the explosive before it is ignited. The adult needs to know these expectations for the benefit of self and all spectators. Follow the instructions on the proper use on how to ignite them in a safe mode. Never experiment with homemade fireworks.
” Be sober, be vigilant, the life you save may be your own.”
Do not allow children to play with these explosives
A safe place: All fireworks are designed to be used outdoors not in the house or any enclosed building. A common problem people have with the firecrackers is they are not giving themselves enough space to get away from the rockets that is going off, but also not giving the crowd enough space either. Even a small family fireworks show tends to draw in the neighbors.
Fireworks should never be ignited in a container, glass or metal.
Never try to relight fireworks that do not light well the first time, keep a bucket of water on hand, light fireworks one at a time, move back quickly from a lighted fireworks, and
Don’t use illegal fireworks. (Courtesy of CPSC) As a responsible consumer, the adult should report all illegal pyrotechnics like M-80s and quarter sticks to law and safety authority such as the fire department or police department.
It will do well to invite someone from your local Fire Department/ Fire Marshall/ Police Department to provide training in the use and disposal of fireworks materials before engaging into its use for your holiday activity.

Two examples of a fatality by the improper use of fireworks:

“A 25-year-old male died of blunt force trauma head injuries. According to witnesses, the victim lit a shell and placed it in a launching tube and held it over his head. The shell went off and hit the victim in the top of the head. The victim fell to the ground instantly. He was transported to a local hospital by emergency responders and was pronounced dead. The victim had been drinking alcohol before the incident. (Reported by Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Fireworks”, Publication #12)

“A 44-year-old male was killed when a mortar shell firework exploded. According to witnesses, after successfully launching three shells with the launching tube on the cement ground, the victim decided to launch the fourth shell while holding the launch tube with his arms extended and the tube pointed in an upward angle. The tube blew up from the back and hit the victim directly in the chest, knocking him backwards eight to ten feet into a fence. He died shortly after the explosion. Medical examiners found, the tube’s base plug, which measured 1-7/8″ in diameter and 2-1/8″ tall, deep inside the victim’s chest. (Reported by Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Fireworks”, Publication #12)

Remember, It is better to be safe than sorry.

HAVE A SAFE HOLIDAY!!

Why Spend a Fourth of July in Washington DC

June 20, 2016June 20, 2016 Admin Leave a comment

Celebrating Another Fourth of July in D.C.

If you are looking for a place to travel where coupons and deals are offered; let it be Washington DC for the Fourth of July weekend. At least once in a lifetime, celebrate the Fourth of July at the US Capitol. If you have the time, come a week early and enjoy the free Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall. From June 29-July 4 and July 7-10, experience the Basque Country life as you enjoy the artists, artisans, and performers. It is not difficult to find places to go and things to do. Go on the internet and you will find a wealth of information , calendar of events, listing of restaurants, museums, monuments and other historical sites and places as the Canal Park (a popular urban meeting place. Most of all visiting the place where our government operates has a great personal impact on your life. Walking through the National Archives and viewing the documents such as the display of the Declaration of Independence signed by our Founding Fathers of these United States. It is breath-taken to behold such sites; the Lincoln Monument, Washington Monument, etc. Since this is the presidential election year, it will be interesting to visit The National Portrait Gallery. This year is the 40th birthday party for the Air & Space Museum. The museum will be open all night, free admission, from 8:30pm to 8:00am. There is much to see and enjoy. One of the exciting models is the Star Trek Starship Enterprise. The history of our United States is presented in such a manner that it will have a long term effect on your life. These are considered as unforgettable moments.

My Family Trip to DC

A few years ago I took my family to Washington DC for this patriotic event to ‘celebrate freedom.’ It is more than backyard barbeque with friends and family. It is the opportunity to experience, explore, and venture into the past history of our country at this memorable time. We were excited about the opportunity of visiting the capital for the second time. The first time was experiencing the historical sites such as the governmental places, museums and monuments. This time was different. It had a special meaning. It was not just a tour of the District but rather an experience of celebration of freedom with people all over the United States and no doubt the world. It was like a huge reunion on the lawn of the US Capitol. We got there early enough to be near the US Army Band in Concert, the Capitol Fourth Concert, and all the participants on the program. Right after the setting of the sun, the fireworks begins from the reflecting pool area of the National Mall. The spectacular show lasts about 15 minutes with an area view from locations in DC and parts of Virginia.

As I looked around, it appeared as though all the hundreds of people that sat on the lawn of the United States Capitol were enjoying the sights and sounds of celebration. We were all there for one purpose, that is, to celebrate freedom, to celebrate our country, to celebrate life. It was a very emotionally joyful time for my family and I because it was meaningful and purposeful and very patriotic. These were cherished moments that my family will always remember. We never made it back to Washington DC for that momentous occasion, but we make it a point to celebrate the Fourth of July in our community where we live each year.

What I Love About Washington D.C.

Yes, there are the sights of monuments, government, memorials, and museums. There is also the festival of freedom, celebration with music, activities and fireworks to bring joy and unforgettable moments as you reflect on this nation’s birthday, 240 years. Bring your blankets, coolers and snacks and relax. The fireworks are only for an evening, but you can spend an entire week and still not see all that Washington DC has to offer. Check out the Washington DC Patch (http://patch.com/district-columbia/washingtondc/4th-july-fireworks-national-mall-schedule-where-watch-safety-tips ) for the schedule of the 2016 activities, locations, and safety tips. This information is indeed helpful in planning you visit to the US. Capital District. Go to www.CoupontoPay.com for any travel and hotel coupons, deals and promo code as you plan your trip.

Martin Luther King Day Sales

January 4, 2016January 4, 2016 Lisa Leave a comment

Sales are one of the best opportunities when it comes to shopping or buying things. Holidays are typically the days when sales are held. They’re very popular options for having sales because they are easy to advertise and by now people have come to expect that there will be sales on holidays. They’re more likely to expect and look for sales and buy something, and may even be waiting for the holiday to come so that they can take advantage of the reduced prices on goods and services. That’s why having holiday sales can be so important for businesses and they make a special effort to not only advertise their sales but make them good deals so customers will be more likely to buy.

Sales happen on nearly every holiday, from Labor Day to Memorial Day and even Martin Luther King Day. Martin Luther King Day Sales are a great opportunity to take advantage of all the reduced prices and shop around a little. It doesn’t matter whether you are window shopping or looking for something specific; the sales will be there! The sales can often be store wide, which means great savings on a huge range of goods. You’re more likely to find something that you need on these days for a great price, which is why Martin Luther King Day Sales are so attractive to many. They offer prices that just are not the normal retail price and are significantly lower than usual. It’s a great time to take advantage of these sales and save some money so you can put it towards other things.

You may want to pick out certain items that you need that are typically in a higher price range if you want to take full advantage of these deals. One good way to do this is to look around your home at the big ticket items that either need to be bought now or will likely be required in the future. This can be everything from a washing machine to a water heater. Even if you don’t need it at the moment, if you have older models you may likely need one very soon. That’s why it’s a good idea to scope out things around the house that typically cost quite a bit in order to see what is likely to break down. If you have appliances that are ten years old or older, research the life of these products and see how likely they are to last. That way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision about what you need and what you don’t.

Martin Luther King Day celebrates the legacy of Martin Luther King and the strides he made for civil rights, but it’s also arguably one of the best days of the year to shop. If you’re looking for some tempting sales and you’re relatively close to January (or it already is early January), see if you can wait a while. When Martin Luther King Day comes around, you’ll be well poised to score some things you need or want at a great deal. Never pay full price when you can pay less! Take advantage of this holiday sale and see how much you can save!