Cincinnati Children’s doctor gives tips on how to prevent firework injury
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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2007 nearly 10,000 Americans were treated in emergency room for firework-related injuries. 64 percent of these injuries occurred during the one month period surrounding the July 4th holiday. The National Fire Protection Association documents that children ages 10-14 have the highest firework injury rates.
Wendy Pomerantz, MD, MS, emergency medicine physician and one of the leading coordinators for the Comprehensive Children’s Injury Center, at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, explains that some people do not realize the dangers of fireworks. “During the summer, fireworks become a fascination for kids of all ages. But some don’t realize how dangerous fireworks-even sparklers-can be,” she said. Though sparklers are considered safe by many, they reach temperatures of more than 1000 degrees F.
According to the CPSC, the parts of the body most often injured by fireworks are hands, eyes and legs. Other injuries often include broken bones, loss of fingers or finger injuries, head injuries and hearing loss. “The best way to prevent injuries from fireworks is to only attend outdoor displays that are put on by qualified experts,” says Dr. Pomerantz.
How can you prevent these injuries from happening?
If consumers insist on lighting their own fireworks displays, Dr. Pomerantz suggests the following:
Observe all local laws
Never allow children to play with or light fireworks, even sparklers
Older children who decide to use fireworks should always be supervised by an adult
Only buy from reliable sellers
Use fireworks outdoors only
Always read and follow all warnings and label instructions
Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks
Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and grass, and other things that may catch on fire
Never try to relight “dud” fireworks that have not fully functioned; if it does not go off, wait 15 minutes and soak the firecracker in water
Keep water handy (a garden hose and a bucket) in case of a malfunction or a fire
Never experiment or make your own fireworks
Light only one firework at a time
Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trashcan (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water)
Never light fireworks in glass or metal containers
Never throw or point fireworks at other people, animals, or buildings that can catch on fire
Never carry fireworks in your pocket
Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers
The lighter of the fireworks should always wear eye and ear protection and never have any part of the body over the fireworks
Stay away from illegal explosives
Use long match sticks to light the fireworks, not lighters or cigarettes
Never shorten or lengthen the fuse
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