This week was the 16th Annual Safety Camp in Eden Prairie. Safety Camp is a 2 day event for 3rd graders. The kids learn a variety of safety related skills to help their generation live safer and more healthly lives. There are a lot of instructors needed to teach the 6 groups of 30 3rd graders. Frequently we have experts from other jurisdictions help out. Fire Marshal, George Magdahl from the Hopkins Fire Department was one such guest instructor. Below are his comments after conducting his class on household safety issues.
“I had the opportunity to work the Eden Prairie “Safety Camp” this week. This was attended by about 150 3rd graders, almost all from Eden Prairie. As part of my program I asked the kids if they had ever been burned. Over 1/2 of the kids raised their hand. Many had been burned in the kitchen, or by the sun, but fireworks was also a popular reply. I would estimate over 10% of the entire group had a story about fireworks. The #1 answer was sparklers. Second was a spark from our MN “safe and sane” fountain type products. Of course a couple had stories of bottle rockets or fire crackers that are illegal in MN.
Every story had an adult present at the time if the incident. No injuries were severe enough to require treatment. Maybe it’s a stretch but we can assume over 10% of all children in Minnesota between 6 and 12 years old have been, or will be, burned by fire works. We know for sure that these kids will remember it for a very long time. (I remember getting burned from a fire cracker over 40 years ago) Because these incidents are not reported they will not show up in any statistics. I just found this interesting.” George Magdahl.
The point of this is that fireworks are dangerous and kids are often the victims of the accidents that are inherent with the products. If you buy these products for your kids to use, please supervise the kids carefully. A spilt second decision can result in a lifetime injury. Kids our the future, we need to protect them from these preventable accidents.
