Georgians Encouraged to Practice Safety Tips when Ringing in the New Year with Sparklers

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As more Georgians look for ways to have affordable, and memorable, celebrations at home, TNT encourages sparkler safety for a safe and festive New Year’s

Atlanta (Vocus) December 22, 2010

As Georgians prepare for New Year’s Eve, experts urge consumers to consider safety as they ring in 2011 and bid farewell to 2010.

“Sparklers are a perfect addition to any New Year’s celebration,” says Tommy Glasgow, president of TNT® Fireworks East. TNT Fireworks is the largest distributor of consumer sparklers in the United States and has been in the consumer fireworks business for more than 50 years. “As more Georgians look for ways to have affordable, and memorable, celebrations at home, TNT encourages sparkler safety for a safe and festive New Year’s.”

Nationally, fireworks consumption increased 635 percent between 1976 and 2008 (29.0 million pounds versus 213.2 million pounds respectively), while fireworks-related injuries decreased dramatically from 38.3 injuries to 3.3 injuries per 100,000 pounds of fireworks during that same time period, according to the most recent data available from the American Pyrotechnics Association.

John Conkling, a nationally renowned fireworks expert and spokesman for the American Pyrotechnics Association, attributes the steep decline in injuries over the years to the fireworks industry’s consumer safety and education initiatives during the last three decades.

Despite the decline in injuries, however, Conkling says consumers should resolve to use only devices permitted by state law while adhering to safety warnings and instructions that appear on product packaging.

“For decades, sparklers have enhanced countless celebrations. To continue the downward trend in fireworks-related injuries, though, consumers must prioritize safety and have a general understanding of how these devices function,” Conkling says. “Following a few simple guidelines – such as only using sparklers outdoors in clear areas away from buildings and dry grass and always keeping a bucket of water on hand for emergencies – will help people stay safe.”

While consumers consider which products will add the most sparkle to their New Year’s celebrations, Conkling recommends they check the credibility of the distributor to make sure its products are reliable and come from a credible source.

“Not all sparklers are the same,” Conkling says, “and consumers should purchase only legal products that are distributed by a trusted, established company, like TNT Fireworks, that puts people and safety above all else.”

Here are a few sparkler safety tips to consider this New Year’s Eve:

• Once you’ve made your sparkler purchase, keep them in a safe place… out of the reach of children and pets.
• Young children should not light or handle sparklers.
• Use good common sense and always read and follow all warnings and instructions that appear on a sparkler item or its packaging.
• Always keep a hose and a bucket of water nearby in case of emergencies. Used sparklers should be soaked in a bucket of water prior to being discarded.
• Use sparklers outdoors, only in clear areas, away from houses, buildings, fences, dry grass, and trees. Your sparkler display area should also be smooth, flat, level and swept clean of debris.
• Never attempt to fix or relight a sparkler – if it fails to light, do not relight it. Place it in a bucket of water and make sure it is fully soaked before discarding it.
• Animals are sometimes frightened by sparklers. To protect your “best friends,” keep them indoors – away from the loud noise – and secure.
• As with any purchase, check the credibility of the distributor to make sure their sparklers are reliable, legal and come from a licensed source.
• Remember – not all sparklers are the same. Be sure to purchase products that are manufactured by a trusted, established company that puts safety first.
• Do not smoke when handling any type of sparkler.
• Do not use sparklers while under the influence of alcohol.

TNT sparklers will be available through New Year’s Eve at numerous major retailers, as well as stand and tent sparkler sale locations throughout Georgia. For more safety information, or to find a location where TNT products are sold in Georiga, visit http://www.TNTFireworks.com

ABOUT TNT FIREWORKS
TNT® Fireworks (TNT) is the nation’s largest distributor of consumer sparklers. For more than 50 years, TNT has set the benchmark for safety, customer satisfaction, innovation and quality in the fireworks industry. For more information about TNT Fireworks, visit http://www.tntfireworks.com.

ABOUT THE AMERICAN PYROTECHNICS ASSOCIATION
The APA is the leading trade association of the fireworks industry. The APA supports and promotes safety standards for all aspects of fireworks. The APA has diverse membership including regulated and licensed manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, importers and suppliers of fireworks. Additional information about the fireworks industry, facts & figures, history of fireworks, state laws, and safety tips can be found on APA’s website at http://www.americanpyro.com.

Media Contact:
Robert Clarke/Chris Giallanza
(404) 446-1670/(404)446-1667
rclarke(at)duffey(dot)com / cgiallanza(at)duffey(dot)com

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