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Wow…it’s
July already. I hope the summer has started off well for everyone out
there.
The 4th
of July always reminds me of when my brothers and I were younger and we
would buy fireworks from our friends, and shoot them off to celebrate
the holiday.
Things
really haven’t changed since then. Fireworks are as big as ever, and so
are the injuries.
Every year
approximately 6,000 kids have a firework related injury that requires
them to go to the hospital. The injuries are primarily on the head,
hands, eyes and legs. About 120 finger amputations happen every year as
a result of an inadvertent explosion from fireworks (more details at
http://www.aap.org/policy/04040.html).
There are
both legal and illegal fireworks out there. Legal fireworks are called
Class C fireworks and include the following: fountains, candles, bottle
rockets, sparklers and smokers.
Illegal
fireworks are called Class B and include large firecrackers, cherry
bombs, m-80’s, and m-100’s. These are the kind that can only be used by
professionals at the big firework shows.
Most
injuries from fireworks occur as a result of adults who have been
drinking too much alcohol, or to unsupervised children. Four out of 5 of
those injured are males.
Some
general rules may be helpful to protect your children, and prevent any
catastrophes from happening (more helpful hints at http://www.fireworksafety.com/safety/index.html).
- SUPERVISE YOUR
CHILDREN!
- Don’t drink and use
fireworks
- Buy legal fireworks
- Use them only outdoors
- Have plenty of water
handy
- Never carry them in
your pocket
- Light them on a flat
surface
- SUPERVISE YOUR
CHILDREN!
Now, for
some questions…
Are
sparklers safer than other types of fireworks?
No.
Children are fascinated with sparkers, because they are such an eye
catcher. They want to get as close as possible to them, and even hold
them. Injuries are primarily those to the face and fingers. Sparklers
can burn at 1800 degrees F. (gold melts at this temp), and leave
permanent scars. Keep them out of the hands of the little ones.
Are bottle
rockets safer because they shoot up and not out at people?
No. Bottle
rockets are the most common cause of permanent blindness, because they
reach speeds of approximately 200 miles per hour, and will literally put
your eye out. What usually happens is someone goes to investigate why it
has not taken off yet, and when they lean over to look, the rocket takes
off right into their face.
How far
away should I be to be safe?
Up to 40%
of fireworks injuries are to bystanders. Injuries to bystanders are the
result of a firework gone bad. Unfortunately, you come to watch a show,
and instead end up in the emergency room. You and your children should
be at least 40 feet away from fountain fireworks, and 100 yards away
from aerials.
How do I
know if my kids have illegal fireworks?
Legal
fireworks should have a manufacturer’s name on each item. There also
should be directions on how to use each safely. M-80’s, m-100’s and
cherry bombs are illegal.
I know
there are those of you out there who are saying, “Let kids be kids and
enjoy themselves”, or “I’m just going to have a few beers, and then show
the kids how to do it”. You may even be saying, “That will never happen
to my kid”. But, if it does happen to your child, there is no turning
back. The loss of a finger or eye will affect your child for the rest of
his/her life. Your best bet is to take your kids to a show put on by
professionals, sit back and know that you and your kids are safe.
Happy
Independence Day! Dr. Mike
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