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Fireworks Safety Independence Day is a great time to spend with your family. Unfortunately, many families who choose to light their own fireworks run the risk of burns and other bodily harm. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), all fireworks are dangerous, particularly to children. Consider the following facts:
Causes of Fireworks-Related Injury According to the NCIPC, there are several factors contributing to the incidence of fireworks-related injuries. First is the type of fireworks used and their availability. "Fireworks-related injuries are most commonly associated with 'class C' fireworks, which are sold legally in many states. Firecrackers (25%), rockets (21%), and sparklers (11%) accounted for most of the injuries seen in emergency departments during 2001 (Greene 2002)." For example, bottle rockets can fly into someone's face and sparklers can ignite clothing and hair (sparklers can heat up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit!). In fact, bottle rockets are the "single greatest cause of eye injuries requiring hospitalization," according to Prevent Blindness America (PBA). They state that bottle rockets are particularly dangerous because, "Their flight path is erratic, their fuses are non-standard and their explosive power is enough to turn a 'launch site' bottle or can into shrapnel."
People who stand too close to the fireworks also run a higher risk of being harmed. Parents should be especially careful concerning their children. The NCIPC states that a study found that children are 11 times more likely to be injured by fireworks if left unsupervised. And younger children may not have the physical coordination necessary to safely handle fireworks, or their curiosity may put them in dangerous situations. The NCIPC also cites experimentation as a cause of injury. Never make your own variation of fireworks at home. Fireworks Safety Tips Never let children handle fireworks. Even sparklers can cause injury. In fact, according to the CDC, sparklers are the most common cause of fireworks-related injuries in children under five. Be sure to carefully read and follow the instructions and warnings on the package. Do not let people stand close by while igniting fireworks. Be sure to ignite fireworks on a smooth surface and away from the house, flammable materials or dry vegetation or leaves. Do not attempt to relight any fireworks that did not properly work. Wait at least 15 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water before discarding it. Always keep a bucket of water and garden hose nearby in case of fire. Only purchase fireworks from reliable sellers. Light only one firework at a time. Never experiment or make your own fireworks. Keep fireworks in a cool, dry place before using them. Do not carry them in your pocket. When completed, soak the fireworks in water before disposing of them in your trashcan. Never point or throw fireworks towards people. Do not shoot fireworks out of a metal or glass container. Never stand over the fireworks. Wear protective eyewear when igniting. Never use illegal fireworks. According to the National Council on Fireworks Safety: "It is extremely important to know the difference between a legal consumer firework and a dangerous explosive device. Items such as M-80s, M-100s and blockbusters [or quarterpounders] are not fireworks, they are federally banned explosives. They can cause serious injury or even death." These explosives typically are not labeled, so only purchase clearly-marked products with the name of the firework and its manufacturer on the label. If you find any of these illegal explosives, contact your local police department. Have a cell phone nearby or know where the closest phone is located in case you need to make an emergency call for the fire department or ambulance. If your clothing catches on fire, follow the adage: Stop, Drop and Roll. Be sure to cover your face with your hands. Also make sure your children know what to do in an emergency. If your eye is injured, seek medical help immediately, even if the injury seems minor. Never rub, rinse or self-medicate the eye -- go straight to the doctor or emergency room. If you choose to ignite your own fireworks this year, please follow these guidelines and have a safe holiday. Better yet, take your family to a public community display of fireworks, and leave the igniting to the professionals. Sources: "Fireworks Safety Month" -- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' GirlPower!: http://www.girlpower.gov/AdultsWhoCare/general/fireworks.htm "Tips on Choosing Safe Fireworks" -- National Council on Fireworks Safety: http://www.fireworksafety.com/safety/choose.html Safety Tips – National Council on Fireworks Safety: http://www.fireworksafety.com/safety/index.html "Spotlight on Injuries from Fireworks" -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/firework_spot.htm "Fireworks-Related Injuries" -- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fworks.htm "Fireworks Safety Tips" -- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PUBS/july4/safetip.html "NFPA Fact Sheets: Consumer Fireworks" -- National Fire Protection Association: http://www.nfpa.org/Research/nfpafactsheets/fireworks/fireworks.asp "Fireworks Tied to 8,800 Injuries Treated in 2002: Help Prevent Vision Loss by Playing It Safe on the Fourth" – Prevent Blindness America: http://www.preventblindness.org/news/releases/fireworks_2004.html "2001 Fireworks Annual Report: Fireworks-Related Deaths, Emergency Department Treated Injuries, and Enforcement Activities During 2001" -- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/2001fwreport.pdf Further Information: For state laws regarding fireworks, visit the National Council on Fireworks Safety: http://www.fireworksafety.com/statelaws/index.html blog comments powered by Disqus |
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