Celebrating Independence Day can be a fun time for
families, but not when you suffer a serious injury from the traditional Fourth of
July fireworks. Hospital emergency rooms are kept busy during this holiday because many
parents do not realize - until it is too late - just how dangerous fireworks can be. Take
the following test prepared by the American Academy of Ophthalmology to find out
how much you know about fireworks' safety.
1. True or False. Fireworks are legally sold in
Florida.
2. True or False. The average burning time for a
fuse is 15 seconds.
3. True or False. Hand-held sparklers are safe.
4. True or False. Making your own fireworks is
okay if you know what you are doing or buy an advertised fireworks construction kit.
5. True or False. Spectators rarely are injured.
6. True or False. Gunpowder is a major ingredient
in most types of fireworks.
7. True or False. Bottle rockets are not dangerous
because they’re just firecrackers tied to a stick.
1. True - Florida, along with Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Alabama allow fireworks. Only 11 states ban all types of fireworks.
2. False - According to Consumer Product Safety
Commission performance standards, most fireworks have fuses that burn for only three to
five seconds.
3. False - Sparklers are the second highest cause
of fireworks' injuries that require hospitalization.
Sparklers burn at 1,800 [degrees] F, hot enough to melt gold. Flying pieces can strike the
eye causing blindness.
4. False - Mixing and loading chemical powders is
very dangerous and can result in explosions that blind their users. Some homemade
fireworks can exceed the explosive force of a stick of dynamite.
5. False - In one study, 40% of those suffering
eye injuries were bystanders. When it comes to unpredictable fireworks, no one is safe!
6. True - It is the gunpowder in most fireworks
that causes them to explode. Class C fireworks (firecrackers) contain up to 50 mg. of
gunpowder.
7. False - Bottle rockets account for most
fireworks' injuries that lead to permanent eye damage. They can move as fast as 200 miles
per hour, explode in mid air, and fly in any direction.
Fireworks have become a traditional part of an
American family’s Fourth of July celebration. Unfortunately, these celebrations all
too often result in serious burns, hearing loss and other injuries. Last
summer, for example, nearly 10,000 were treated for injuries caused by
fireworks. Of the 1,600 accidents involving the eye, 40% resulted in permanent damage to
people’s vision. Last year alone, twenty Americans died as a direct result of
injuries caused by fireworks or related fires. There are many different varieties of
fireworks, but the most common injury-causing types are firecrackers, sparklers, bottle
rockets, and Roman candles.
Fireworks' injuries range in severity from burned
fingers and lacerations to serious disability and permanent loss of vision. Most injuries
are to the eyes, hands, fingers and face. Some experience persistent hearing loss
or tingling in the ears because of the sound made by the nearby explosions.
Fireworks are not toys--they are dangerous and
unpredictable explosive devices. Sparklers, considered by many to be "safe", burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing,
especially light summer nightgowns and pajamas. People are often fascinated by the
sparkler’s light and do not appreciate the danger. Furthermore, you may not be able to
act appropriately in case of an emergency.
Fireworks should always be treated with respect
and you should not drink alcohol when using them. Responsible people do not run or engage in horseplay while fireworks are being used.
Here are some safety tips for those who
feel the need to produce their own fireworks display:
Before using any fireworks, you should read
all warning instructions and follow them closely.
Fireworks should only be used outdoors in a
clear area away from houses, buildings, cars and flammable materials (gasoline cans, etc.)
A bucket of water, hose or fire extinguisher
should be kept nearby for emergencies and to douse fireworks that do not ignite. Never use
fireworks during dry spells when grass can ignite.
If fireworks malfunction, douse them with water
immediately and then throw them away. Do not try to re-light them.
Always place fireworks on solid, level ground
and use long, fireplace-style matches when lighting them. Everyone should keep their head
as far from the fuse as possible.
Never throw firecrackers at a person or animal.
Do not ignite fireworks in a container,
especially one made of glass or metal.
Finally, after using fireworks, do not keep
extras around the house for next year's celebration.
The most effective
way to prevent fireworks' injury is to leave fireworks to the experts. Enjoy the holiday
by watching the fireworks at one of our many community-sponsored events.
