Riley Trauma Doctor Urges Fireworks Safety

07/02/2008

Indianapolis - The Fourth of July traditionally brings families and communities together through festive parades, cookouts and, of course, extravagant firework displays to celebrate the birth of our nation and the beginning of the summer.

However, there are no safe fireworks and improper use can result in serious injuries.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), fireworks were involved in an estimated 9,800 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during the 2007 calendar year. Injuries to children were a major component of total fireworks-related injuries with children under 15 accounting for 42 percent.

As of August 1, 2007, 156 unduplicated cases of fireworks-related injuries were reported to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH). 82 percent of the injuries happened during the 8-day period surrounding July 4, including 42 percent of injuries occurring on Independence Day.

The most common type of injury is a burn to the hands, most likely from holding a firework as it explodes. Other common injuries include eye injuries when the handler or bystanders do not wear eye protection.

According to the ISDH, the typical causes of injuries were due to misuse of fireworks; fireworks exploding earlier or later than expected; errant flight paths; sparks or debris from fireworks; and other malfunctions. "Every year, Riley Hospital treats children with burns, as well as other hand and eye injuries resulting from fireworks," says Tres Scherer, MD, director of pediatric trauma services, Riley Hospital for Children. "Some of the more serious injuries are from commonly used items such as sparklers, Roman candles, and firecrackers." The CPSC has developed specific regulations designed to help prevent injuries and death from fireworks. Fireworks sold to consumers for personal use must provide a label illustrating the hazard, such as "EMITS SPARKS," along with a capitalized "WARNING" or "CAUTION" label. Those materials not abiding by the Commission regulations clearly stated on their website at www.cpsc.gov are banned from sale and production. "Fireworks can be captivating, but parents and children need to be knowledgeable of fireworks safety and the risks of injury and should exercise caution when working with them," continues Dr. Scherer. "Younger children should never be involved in these activities, and older children should have parental supervision at all times when working with fireworks."

FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS:

• Prohibit children younger than age 14 from using fireworks and supervise older children.
• Read and follow all warning instructions.
• Use fireworks outdoors only and away from houses and flammable materials.
• Keep a bucket of water ready.
• Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Never ignite fireworks in a container (especially a glass or metal container).
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place according to special storage instructions.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

FIREWORKS SAFETY FACTS (courtesy of Prevent Blindness Indiana):

• One out of every four fireworks injuries affects the eyes, most often involving sparklers, rockets or firecrackers.
• After the hands, eyes are the part of the body most likely to be injured by fireworks.
• Wear eye protection to prevent injury - and, if an eye is injured, don't rub it! See a doctor right away.
• Sparklers burn at 18 hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Sparklers cause the greatest number of fireworks injuries to children 14 and younger, followed by firecrackers and rockets.
• Bottle rockets can stray off course or throw shrapnel when they explode.

EYE INJURY TIPS

If there are specks in the eye:

• Lift the upper eyelid outward and down over the lower lid.
• Let tears wash out specks or particles.
• If the speck doesn't wash out, keep the eye closed, bandage it lightly and see a doctor.
• Do not rub the eye!

If the eye or eyelid is cut or punctured:

• Bandage lightly and see a doctor right away.
• Do not wash out the eye with water.
• Do not try to remove an object stuck in the eye.
• Do not apply ointment. Ointment, which may not be sterile, makes the area around the eye slippery and harder for the doctor to examine.
• Do not rub the eye. Rubbing the eye may increase bleeding or make the injury worse.
• Do not attempt to rinse out the eye. This can be even more damaging than rubbing.
• Do not apply pressure to the eye itself. Hold or tape a foam cup, for example, over the eye.

Prevent Blindness Indiana has more information on vision health and eye safety at: www.pbeye.org

About Riley Hospital for Children As Indiana's first and only comprehensive hospital dedicated exclusively to the care of children, Riley Hospital for Children, a part of Clarian Health, has provided compassionate care, support and comfort to children and their families for 80 years. Each year Riley serves over 160,000 inpatients and outpatients from across Indiana, the nation and the world. Riley Hospital's partnership with Clarian Health and its strong affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine make it the only comprehensive clinical resource for Indiana's children and the premiere source for health related information for their parents. From simple care associated with the health and wellness of children and less complex specialty care to the most critically-ill and medically complex cases, Riley Hospital for Children is the leader for pediatric care in the state and the region. In 2004, Clarian became Indiana's first magnet hospital system. Clarian Health Partners, Inc. operates the Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Hospital and Riley Hospital campuses as a single hospital under Indiana law. Visit www.rileyhospital.org for more information.