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June is Fireworks Safety Month!
Celebrating Independence Day may drum up images of picnics or cookouts
with family and friends, parades down Main Street and fireworks after
dusk.
If fireworks are part of plan, are you thinking of sparklers late in the evening for the kids? Or one
of the big displays put on in most towns and cities across the State? We hope you're thinking of the latter: depending on whose statistics you believe, between
8,000 and 13,000 fireworks-related injuries occur every year, with the majority occurring around July Fourth.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), figures indicate that historically, 60-75%
of fireworks injuries occur during the July 4th holiday period (June 23-July 23). During this period in 1999, there were an estimated 6,300 emergency room
treated injuries for fireworks, while in 1998, there were 5,400 emergency room injuries.
In 1999 (Injuries from CPSC's One-Month Special Study: June 23, 1999 - July 23, 1999):
- About 75% of the victims were males and 25% were females.
- Children ages 5 to 14 accounted for 40% of the injuries. The next highest injury frequency occurred
in the age group 15 to 24, with 30% of the injuries.
Some of the sad stories they've shared:
- On July 4, an 18-year-old male in San Angelo, Texas, was struck in the eye by an exploding rocket. The
victim reported that he would need replacement of both the lens and cornea. The victim does not expect to regain full vision.
- A 13-year-old boy was struck in the forehead by a reloadable shell, causing a skull fracture. He
had surgery. Two weeks later he was taken off life support and died.
- An 8-year-old girl received second and third degree burns to her leg when a spark from a sparkler she
was holding ignited her dress.
- Another death occurred on July 5, when a 15-year-old Kansas boy was killed after being struck in
the face by a firework.
Burns to the hand, wrist or arm were the most frequent injury at 30%. An estimated 20% of the injuries
were to the eye. Most of these eye injuries were contusions and lacerations. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, almost a third of these
injuries result in permanent eye damage and a quarter of them end in permanent vision loss or blindness. Almost one in twenty victims loses all useful vision
or requires removal of an injured eye.
While we sponsor your vision
plan, our emphasis is on wellness, and we want to provide you with the information you need to make decisions about your eyes' health.
Since some coffee cups have "hot" printed on them so obvious dangers are called out, there may be some larger,
real dangers out there that we've sometimes looked past; "little firecrackers" may belong in this category.
The sale of large reloadable shells, cherry bombs, aerial bombs, M-80 salutes, firecrackers containing more
than two grains of powder, and mail-order kits designed to build these fireworks is already prohibited under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. Before using
any other type of fireworks, make sure they are permitted in your state or local area: Many states and local governments prohibit or limit consumer fireworks,
formerly known as class C fireworks. Among fireworks-related injuries, the bottle rocket is the most frequent cause. Approximately two-thirds of fireworks-related
eye injuries result from bottle rocket use because after ignition, the bottle rocket launches from the bottle into the air with little or no control from
the participant.
In Ohio, the only legal fireworks for sale are sparklers, snakes and other novelties, and sparklers are capable
of giving off enough heat to melt gold (1,800 degrees). Sparklers are the second highest cause of fireworks injuries that require hospitalization
and most of these injuries occur among preschool-age children.
Common Recommendations for Eye Safety and Fireworks
- Attend professional fireworks shows.
If using fireworks on your own:
- Use only legal fireworks (legal in your area). They will contain a manufacturer's name, address, and
a cautionary label.
- Read and follow all warnings and instructions on the labels before using any fireworks.
- Have an adult light all fireworks, rather than allowing children to handle fireworks.
- Light fireworks one at a time outside; the best area outside will be away from houses and building
in a clearing, also away from dry leaves and grass, and other flammable materials.
- Keep water on hand to pour on nonlighting fireworks. Do not handle or try to relight.
- Keep bystanders out of range.
- Wear glasses or safety goggles to protect your eyes (this goes for bystanders too).
- In case of eye injury, seek emergency medical assistance immediately.
Here are some sites that offer more on fireworks restrictions and safety.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/july4/4thjuly.html
Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Safety Site
http://www.preventblindness.org/safety/fireworksafety.html
From Prevent Blindness America, this site includes steps to follow in case of injury
http://www.fireworksafety.com
Safety tips for fireworks use
http://www.eyenet.org/member/comm/issue_briefs/safety.html
Ophthalmologists' Association on fireworks safety
Have a great Fourth!
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