Jason Pierre-Paul, Giants Player That Blew His Fingers Off, Stars in Fireworks Safety Video

NEW YORK CITY, NY — Jason Pierre Paul — star defensive end for the New York Giants who blew his fingers off in a fireworks accident last year — is teaming up with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to educate people on the dangers on fireworks.

In a PSA titled #FireworksHurt, Pierre-Paul reminisced on the accident that left his right hand disfigured.

"Fourth of July I lit off a firework. I thought I could throw it away real quick and in a split second it blew up and blew off my whole hand right there," Pierre-Paul said. "On the way to the hospital all I could do is think about my son."

CPSC Chairman Elliot Kaye then utters the obligatory football-themed pun, "so let's tackle fireworks safety together," Kaye says pointing into the camera with a soul-piercing glare.

Lesson learned.

The PSA was strategically released just before the Fourth of July, when countless Americans inevitably injure themselves setting of miniature explosive devices celebrating the freedom to do so. According to the CPSC, 70 percent of all fireworks injuries happen in the 30 days surrounding July Fourth.

"CPSC has new data indicating that there were 11 deaths and nearly 12,000 ER-treated injuries from fireworks in 2015–the highest number in 15 years," Kaye said in a statement.

So if you still want to set off fireworks — because let's be real, explosions are fun — you should follow this list of safety tips from the CPSC.

• Make sure consumer fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Never use or make professional grade fireworks.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees ─ hot enough to melt some metals.
• Do not buy fireworks that are packaged in brown paper, which is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap.
• Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move away from them quickly.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding the device to prevent a trash fire.

[Photo/Video: Courtesy of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission]