Dear Doctor Column, July 4, 2005

Dangerous Fireworks Far From Being Toys

Dear Readers,

For many Alabama families, Independence Day means cookouts, family reunions, and fireworks. But, fireworks often result in injury for both children and adults, including severe burns, loss of eyesight, amputation, and even death.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), www.cpsc.gov, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), www.atf.gov, urge consumers to celebrate the occasion safely by not purchasing or using illegal fireworks and by adhering to safety guidelines if using legal ones.

According to CPSC, there were an estimated 9300 hospital emergency room visits for fireworks-related injuries in 2003; almost half the injuries were to children younger than age 15. Parts of the body most often injured are the hands, face, and eyes. Other fireworks facts:

• According to the U.S. Eye Injury Registry, www.useironline.org, bottle rockets are the most frequent cause of serious eye injury requiring hospitalization.
• A study of 53 serious ocular fireworks injuries reported from the Eye Injury Registry of Alabama revealed surgical intervention was required in 56.6% of cases. Bottle rockets were responsible for all surgeries in which the injured eye had to be removed. Permanent residual vision loss occurred in all but four cases.
• Sparklers, which many parents consider safe for children, can burn at temperatures up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.

The good news is that the number of injuries sustained from fireworks has decreased significantly from the highs of 1992 to 1994, when injuries averaged 12,500 a year. Rigorous enforcement, increased consumer awareness, and the work of reputable fireworks manufacturers have helped to reduce injuries from these entertaining, but dangerous, explosives.

Since 1988, CPSC and the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, www.customs.gov, have seized or detained more than 450 million hazardous fireworks at docks across the country. Through undercover operations, online purchases, inspections, and incident investigations, CPSC and its partners are working to put a stop to illegal fireworks ending up in the hands of consumers. These joint investigations have led to the seizure of thousands of M-80s, M-1000s, quarter sticks, and professional fireworks destined for consumers, all which could have caused serious injuries or deaths.

Highly explosive M-80s, cherry bombs, and quarter sticks have been banned under Federal law since 1966. Additionally, it is illegal to sell mail-order kits that include chemicals and components to make such large firecrackers. It also is illegal to sell professional display fireworks to consumers.

If you do decide to set fireworks off on your own this 4th of July, be sure to follow these important safety tips:

• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Adults should always supervise fireworks activities.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Never allow young children to ignite fireworks.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person or animal.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
• Adults should light one item at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them in metal or glass containers.
• Never give fireworks, even sparklers, to young children. Sparklers burn at temperatures greater than 1800 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to cause third-degree burns.
• Keep pets in a safe place during fireworks disp