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Beware of potential firework injuries

While celebrating the nation’s Independence Day, remember that the rocket’s red glare could end up injuring someone if proper precautions are not taken.
Regardless of where or how the fireworks festivities take place, some very important safety precautions should be considered 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, many preventable accidents occur each year around this time—and many involving mishandled or errant fireworks.
 
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) monitors a sample of hospital rooms and produces annual injury estimates associated with a number of consumer products based upon the injuries that are recorded on these selected hospitals. Using this data, CPSC estimates that 9,600 people were treated for fireworks-related injuries in 2004. CPSC emphasizes that estimates are based on injuries relating to fireworks, including some that were homemade and illegal explosive devices.
 
In 1976, CPSC enacted national standards for family-type fireworks in response to a petition calling on CPSC to ban all fireworks except for licensed public displays. All fireworks now legally available for sale to consumers must comply with the CPSC rules. Since the adoption of these regulations, the amount of fireworks used each year has doubled, suggesting that the injury rate in terms of injuries per 1 million pounds of fireworks ignited has declined.
 
A recent report prepared by CPSC analyzed injury data collected during a seven-year period. The study concluded, “In instances where legal types of fireworks were involved in accidents, either from misuse or malfunction, the resulting injuries were relatively minor and did not require hospitalization.”
 
The CPSC study also noted that a majority of the injuries from the consumer of family-type fireworks involved misuse. Illegal fireworks continue to be a serious problem.
 
During the past 10 years, 30 percent to 33 percent of the injuries associated with fireworks have typically been caused by illegal explosives or homemade fireworks. With the enactment of rigid safety standards for consumer fireworks, a safe, enjoyable backyard fireworks display is now possible, but accidents still can happen.
 
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. According to the National Council on Fireworks Safety (NCFS), tips on choosing fireworks for private displays at home or in the neighborhood include checking with the local police to determine which, if any, fireworks are legal. Several fireworks are on the list of federally banned explosives, including M-80s or 100s, blockbusters, and quarter-pounders. These fireworks are easily identified by lack of product labeling or precautions outlined on the canister. Homemade fireworks are illegal. Handling chemical and reactive substances can result in unexpected and harmful consequences. Meanwhile, illegal fireworks and homemade concoctions 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. Sparklers can reach temperatures of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, or hot enough to melt gold. More than 50 percent of sparkler related injuries happen to children 14 and younger. The National Council on Fireworks Safety reminds all parents to be careful when using sparklers around children. The council also encourages parents to safely supervise the activities of their children when sparklers are present. While they appeal to children of all ages, sparklers are not toys.
 
The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers the following safety tips:
  • Obey the local laws and use common sense.
  • Always read and follow instructions. Always have an adult present.
  • Keep burning sparklers away from clothing and flammable objects.
  • Only use sparklers outdoors, away from buildings and vehicles.
  • Light only one sparkler at a time.
  • Alcohol, fireworks and sparklers do not mix. Be responsible.
  • Do not point or throw sparklers at another person.
  • Children under the age of 12 should not handle sparklers.
  • When finished, place used sparklers in a bucket of water.
Extinguishing and disposing of spent fireworks and duds are also important. In terms of public fireworks displays, precautions include staying behind protective barriers to prevent being hit by debris, ashes, or ignited particles that could fall from the sky during a show. The best view for a fireworks display is from about 500 yards or more away. If a firework component falls to the ground without exploding, don’t touch it. And, consider that fireworks can spook an animal, so leave your pets at home.
 
For more information on the safe use of consumer fireworks and sparklers, state laws and regulations visit http://www.fireworksafety.com.

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.
  • Light only one firework at a time.
  • 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.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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, June 30, 2006
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 catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.