Fireworks Safety
Summer is
upon us. Soon we will be celebrating the Fourth of July. Fireworks, as
part of celebrations, are great fun. But, fireworks can be
dangerous.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were involved in an estimated 9,200 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2006. About 6,400 injuries were treated during the one month period surrounding the Fourth of July.
Eye injuries were the second most injured part of the body. About 1,500 fireworks-related eye injuries treated in July of 2006.
You can take precautions to prevent firework related injuries. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following safety tips:
Always read and follow label directions.
Have an adult present. Even sparklers can harm a child.
Buy from reliable sellers.
Use outdoors only.
Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
Light only one firework at a time.
Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes
and then soak it in a bucket of water).
Never give fireworks to small children.
If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water
and then disposing of them in your trashcan.
Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
The shooter should always wear eye protection and never
have any part of the body over the firework.
Stay away from illegal explosives
If an eye injury does occur, you can minimize the damage to the eye. Prevent Blindness America, Fireworks Safety Page, provides the following guidelines.
Do not rub the eye. Rubbing the eye may increase bleeding
or make the injury worse.
Do not attempt to rinse out the eye. This can be even
more damaging than rubbing.
Do not apply pressure to the eye itself. Holding or
taping a foam cup or the bottom of a juice carton to the eye are just two
tips. Protecting the eye from further contact with any item, including the
child's hand, is the goal.
Do not stop for medicine! Over-the-counter pain relievers
will not do much to relieve pain. Aspirin (should never be given to
children) and ibuprofen can thin the blood, increasing bleeding. Get to or
take the injuried person to the emergency room at once - this is more
important than stopping for a pain reliever.
Do not apply ointment. Ointment, which may not be
sterile, makes the area around the eye slippery and harder for the doctor
to examine.