Read This Before Handling Fireworks!

With summer in full swing, the 4th of July holiday is just about here. Along with Independence Day parades, festivals and get togethers, there's also a lot of fireworks displays....some produced professionally.....others done by amateurs. Unfortunately, there is a downside to many fireworks, as they can lead to some very bad and debilitating injuries. The U.S. Consumer Safety Commission reports the following fireworks injury statistics:

• Fireworks were associated with almost 13,000 injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms in 1994; 9,000 injuries occurred in the month of July alone. Children under the age of 15 sustained more than 5,000 injuries from fireworks during this time period. These injuries can result in the loss of an eye, blindness, and even death. Yearly societal costs are estimated at $100 million.
• Last year fireworks injured more than 9,400 people seriously enough to necessitate treatment in hospital emergency rooms -- an 18 per cent increase over 1979. Most of those injured were children and youths from five to 20 years old whose hands, faces and eyes were harmed most frequently.
• In the wake of an 18 per cent increase in fireworks-related injuries last year, government safety officials have increased their surveillance of fireworks devices being imported into the U.S. for Independence Day. Their intent is to restrict the distribution of illegal fireworks which are explosive enough to severely injure consumers.
• Eyes were the second most commonly injured part of the body...with an estimated 1,500 fireworks-related eye injuries treated in July 2006.
• Firecrackers accounted for 20% of al injuries followed by rockets, and sparklers.
• On average there are about seven firework-related deaths each year. The CPSC is aware of 11 deaths associated with fireworks in 2006.
• Realize that sparklers, for instance, burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. The best way parents can keep their children safe this 4th of July is never allow young children to ignite or handle fireworks of any kind. Children most often suffer burns, lacerations and eye injuries.

Keep in mind that fireworks can be extremely dangerous. Protect yourself, your family and friends by avoiding the use of fireworks ....Leave fireworks displays to the professionals. My staff at Eye Care Associates of Greater Cincinnati and I wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July holiday!

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