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Beware of potential firework injuries

by Heather Woolwine
Public Relations
It’s time again to celebrate the nation’s birthday with the usual fervor and fare, including those American favorites like grilling out, playing at the beach or pool, and either attending large fireworks shows or presenting your own in the backyard.
 
Regardless of where or how the firework festivities take place, there are some very important safety precautions to consider every time an individual is in the vicinity of a fireworks display.
 
While all reports at the national level show that firework accidents and injuries are down by more than 70 percent since the last decade, there are still many preventable accidents each year around this time.
 
In 2002, despite the decline in accidents, 8,800 people suffered injuries related to fireworks. According to Prevent Blindness America’s Web site, almost half of reported injuries were children under the age of 15.
 
“It’s almost becoming out of the ordinary to see a fireworks-related injury,” said Ellen Ruja, Emergency Services nurse manager. “But the injuries we do see in our ER are usually related to the hands or eyes. Most of our patients who receive a fireworks injury are male adolescents or adults, because they’re usually the ones doing the lighting.”
 
Ruja explained how quickly someone can become careless with a firework.
 
“Alcohol and fireworks certainly don’t mix and it’s dangerous when people don’t remember that they are, in fact, dealing with a fire source, really a mini-bomb,” she said. “People will use man-made pipes to launch fireworks and when something doesn’t light, they check it and then it explodes in their face because of a delayed ignition or a faulty fuse. Or worse, the pipe could explode and now there’s shrapnel flying everywhere. It’s so important to just adhere to the recommended safety guidelines and common sense when attending a big fireworks show or setting them off at home.”
 
Per the National Council on Fireworks Safety (NCFS), there are some tips when choosing fireworks for private displays at home or in the neighborhood.
 
First, check with the local police to determine which, if any, fireworks are legal.
 
Several fireworks are on the list of federally banned explosives like M-80’s or 100’s, blockbusters, and quarter pounders. These fireworks are easily identified by lack of product labeling or precautions outlined on the canister.
 
Homemade fireworks are also a big no-no, as handling chemical powders is dangerous for numerous reasons.
 
It’s these illegal fireworks and homemade concoctions that account for one third of the firework-related injuries each year.
 
Consumer fireworks allowed by the government are cone fountains, cylindrical fountains, roman candles, sky rockets, firecrackers, mines and shells, helicopter-type rockets, certain sparklers and revolving wheels.
 
And as for those sparklers that parents so willingly hand over to their children? Watch out Mom and Dad, sparklers can reach temperatures of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, or hot enough to melt gold.
 
“Of course I’m not saying ruin your child’s experience with a sparkler, but be responsible enough to watch them while they hold it and show them how to properly extinguish and dispose of it,” Ruja said.
 
Extinguishing and disposing of spent fireworks and duds are also another important matter.
 
“If you think there’s a dud, leave it alone for awhile to be sure that it’s not going to go off. Then take whatever duds, used fireworks, etc. and soak them in water before you throw them in the trash can,” Ruja said. “It’s important to have a water source nearby the entire time that fireworks are being handled. These simple precautions in handling fireworks are really worth it when you think about the possibility of you or a child blowing off a hand or losing an eye because of carelessness.”
 
In terms of attending public fireworks displays, there are other precautions to consider.
 
Specifically, Ruja and the NCFS recommend staying behind erected barriers meant to protect the public from any debris, ashes, or ignited particles that could fall from the sky during a show. Besides, the best view for a fireworks display is from a quarter of a mile or more away.
 
If a firework component falls to the ground without exploding, don’t touch it. And be kind to your pets by not bringing them along on this particular family outing, as dogs in particular can become quite uncomfortable with loud noises that hurt their ears.

Firework Safety Tips
  • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
  • Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
  • Be sure that others are out of range when lighting fireworks.
  • Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
  • Keep a water source, like a hose, near the ignition site in case of malfunction or fire.
  • Never try to relight a firework that didn’t fully function.
  • Only buy fireworks from reliable consumer dealers.
  • Light only one firework at a time.
  • Be responsible, don’t drink and light fireworks.
  • Don’t point or shoot a firework at another person.
  • If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
  • Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
  • Observe local laws when planning a fireworks display.
  • Wear protective eyewear when lighting fireworks.
What to do if an eye injury occurs:
  • Do not rub the eye. It may increase bleeding or make it worse.
  • Do not rinse out the eye. This can cause more damage then rubbing.
  • Do not apply pressure to the eye itself. Hold or tape a foam cup or the bottom of a juice carton to the eye. Protecting it from further contact with any item, including the person’s hand, is the goal.
  • Do not stop for medicine. Over the counter pain relievers won’t do much for the pain so get to the emergency room as quickly as possible. Plus, ibuprofen and aspirin can thin the blood and aspirin shouldn’t be given to children.
  • Do not apply ointment. It might not be sterile and it makes the area around the eye harder to examine because it becomes slippery.
   

Friday, July 1, 2005
Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.