June 22, 2007

Enjoy The Show... From a Safe Distance

DAVENPORT, Iowa – In the hands of people trained to handle them, colorful fireworks displays bring forth “oohs’’ and “ahhs’’ from spectators enjoying one of the traditions of Fourth of July celebrations.

In the wrong hands, those reactions can become expressions of pain.

In a flash, more than 10,000 Americans will make an unplanned trip to a hospital emergency department around the Independence Day holiday again this year to be treated for fireworks-related injuries.  Injuries from fireworks use have become a regrettable part of Independence Day celebrations.

Andrea Bladel, R.N., B.S.N. and Trauma Coordinator for Genesis Medical Center, East Rusholme Street, Davenport, said the best way to avoid a trip to the emergency department is to leave fireworks displays to the professionals.  “The professional fireworks displays are safer, bigger and better than anything we can do in our backyards.

“Even sparklers, which are one of the few devices legal to use in Iowa and Illinois, burn at 1,800 degrees (Fahrenheit) and can be dangerous.  Used improperly, they can cause burns and burn clothing.

“If kids must use sparklers, we urge close parental supervision and urge kids to stay in one place and not run with sparklers.  Regardless of the type of fireworks, kids need close supervision.’’

Sparklers account for 17 percent of the total injuries seen in emergency each year.  More than half of the injuries sustained by children less than 5 years old are related to lighting sparklers.

Bladel said that people in the Quad Cities appear to be listening to the messages about fireworks safety.  Genesis Medical Center has had no hospital admissions related to fireworks injuries during the holiday period in the last two years.

“Fireworks accidents happen, however, we have fewer injuries locally than in many other areas,’’ Bladel said. “I think this is due, in part, because of the high quality of our local professional fireworks displays.

“Thousands of people in the Quad Cities attend these public shows and these shows have safety records that are outstanding.  Most injuries locally occur when people use fireworks at home.’’

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, reports that four persons died and 10,800 were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in 2005 in the United States.

An estimated 5 percent of fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency departments required hospitalization.

Bladel said the most disturbing statistic, which is supported by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control statistics, is that young people have the highest injury rates.  “A child will tell parents, ‘I can do it myself, I don’t need help.’  Often the child can’t do it themselves and there are injuries,’’ Bladel said.  “Those injuries can be severe.’’

According to the CDC, children 10 to 14 years old had the highest injury rate for fireworks-related injuries in 2005.

“One of the reasons we continue to see fireworks injuries, some of them severe, is that people don’t recognize how dangerous these devices can be,’’ Bladel added.  “If children are going to use fireworks, they need very close supervision.  Children often lack the physical coordination to handle any fireworks safety.  Even with a sparkler, they can fall and suffer burns.’’

Fireworks-related injuries most often involve hands and fingers (31 percent), eyes (25%) and head and face 20%.

Here are Andrea Bladel’s recommendations to prevent fireworks injuries:

• Do not allow young children to play with fireworks under any circumstances.
• Older children should only be permitted to use fireworks under close, adult supervision.
• Light fireworks outdoors in areas clear of houses, dry leaves, grass or flammable materials.
• Do not smoke while handling fireworks.
• Have water available nearby for emergencies.
• Be sure people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
• Don’t experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Do not try to relight “duds.’’
• Don’t place fireworks in containers before lighting.

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