There are approximately 7,000 fireworks-related injuries each year in the United States. Of these, about 2,000 are eye injuries. Almost one in 20 victims loses all useful vision or requires removal of an injured eye.
"Some
people think playing with fireworks or having a firework display
at home is fun, but the fact is, fireworks are extremely dangerous
and can cause serious eye injuries," says Clairann Farr, D.O.,
an East Lansing pediatric ophthalmologist. "Parents should
take proper precautions - maybe even establish some strict guidelines
- when it comes to their children's participation with fireworks."
If you do wish to celebrate on special occasions with fireworks, such as the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, always choose to see a professional firework display instead. The following are important facts about fireworks and firework safety:
- The best
way to avoid injury is not to use consumer fireworks. Because
fireworks are unstable, injury can happen to anyone, anytime,
even if you are being careful.
- The eyes
are especially vulnerable to firework injuries. Fireworks, and
debris from fireworks, can burn the eyes, cause loss of one or
both eyes, or blindness.
- If you handle
or play with fireworks, you are putting yourself at risk for permanent
blindness, hearing loss, loss of hands and fingers, and second-
and third-degree burns to the face and other parts of the body.
- Bottle Rockets,
Sparklers Cause the Most Injuries
- Sparklers,
often given to young children, can burn at up to 2,000 degrees
Fahrenheit, and cause injury to the eye in 37 percent of sparkler-related
eye accidents. Three sparklers combined can have the same heat
as a blow torch.
- The most
dangerous type of consumer firework is the "bottle rocket."
A bottle rocket will fly erratically and explode without warning,
flinging shrapnel, glass, metal. Bottle rockets account for two-thirds
of fireworks-related injuries, and over one-half of fireworks-related
eye injuries.
- M-80s, M-100s,
salutes, blockbusters, and quarter-pounders are federally banned
illegal fireworks and are highly dangerous.
- Peer pressure
can influence children and teens to use fireworks. Please talk
to your children and family about the dangers of handling fireworks.
- Pets also
are at risk from consumer fireworks. The noise associated with
firecrackers and other devices can frighten your pet, and cause
him or her to run off. Keep pets indoors on the Fourth of July.
- Many people
injured by fireworks are innocent bystanders.
- Almost half of those treated for firework injuries are children under age 15
For more information,
individuals, especially parents,
can call 332-6523
(click on "Kids
Sight").