Every year, millions of Americans gather and celebrate Independence Day with awe inspiring fireworks, parades and backyard barbeques. With this historic tradition comes a sobering reality- a rising number of firework-related injuries and visits to emergency departments.
Last year alone, 14,700 people were treated for firework injuries across emergency departments throughout America, a 52% increase when compared to the previous year according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 11 people were killed last year from such injuries.
Who Is Most At Risk?
Firework injuries can affect anyone but they most commonly occur in adults aged 25 to 44, who represent 32% of such injuries, followed by people aged 15 to 24 according to the U.S. CPSC. Children can be particularly vulnerable to such injuries, particularly when unsupervised by adults. In addition, two thirds of firework injuries (67%) are reported to occur in males, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Common Firework Injuries
Firework injuries are diverse, but skin burns are by far the most common type of such injury, making up about 37% of emergency room visits. Other serious injuries include lacerations which are cuts or wounds on the skin, fractures of bones and even amputations if burns are so severe that they compromise vascular blood flow to critical nearby organs. When burns and injuries involve the eyes and ears; permanent vision and hearing loss can also occur.
These injuries can occur through all sorts of mediums, including sparklers, firebombs, firecrackers, smoke bombs and bottle rockets to name a few. Sparklers, which are often perceived as harmless, can burn at temperatures of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit which can essentially melt metals. Sparklers are the leading cause of firework injuries, and a significant portion of these occur in children.
Essentially any body part can be affected from fireworks, depending upon the site of impact from the fire and its debris. Common areas of the body that are affected include the fingers, hands, face, eyes, ears and legs.
Best Practices To Stay Safe
A few minutes of preparation before enjoying firework festivities can save a lifetime of disability or a life-altering injury.
The best way to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones is to watch fireworks professionally. The vast majority of public firework displays are conducted by trained pyrotechnicians who follow strict protocols and safety guidelines. This minimizes the risks for harmful injuries that could occur to the general public.
If you do decide to engage with fireworks on your own, make sure that the products are all legal and certified. Illegal fireworks can contain harmful chemicals and products that could result in more severe injuries if they contact different parts of the body.
Children should never use fireworks, and the use of all fireworks should be done by adults. Adults must also be fully alert and oriented when using fireworks, as being under the influence of drugs and alcohol can alter judgment, coordination and significantly increase the risk of firework injuries.
Keeping a safe distance away from fireworks is also of paramount importance. Picking an open area devoid of buildings, trees and animals can prevent the start of a fire. Viewers of ground-based fireworks should establish a safety perimeter of 35 feet, and this distance should be 150 feet if viewing aerial fireworks according to the Cleveland Clinic.
For the individuals that are actually operating the fireworks, an important safety precaution to remember is to light the fireworks away from the body without projecting the face over the fire. Once lighted, you should step back and away from the fireworks immediately. This can prevent debris and chemicals from coming into the eyes and other parts of the body.
Finally, if an injury does occur, seek medical attention and visit a hospital immediately. There are some practical tips that can be performed even before reaching the emergency room. For burns, cool it with cool water followed by applying a dry sterile dressing over it. If the injury involves the eye, do not apply water or any ointments over it. Instead, apply a clean dressing over the eye and go to the hospital immediately.
Fireworks are and should be a beloved tradition on July 4th. By choosing safety, you can ensure the night ends with laughter and joy, as opposed to a ride on the ambulance.
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