Every Fourth of July, families, friends, and
communities come together throughout the country to view firework displays. And
every year, we encourage the public to leave the fireworks to the professionals
and go to a public display. We remind the patients that consumer fireworks are
dangerous both to those who set them off and to bystanders. Here are the facts:
·
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 10,000 injuries and 12
firework-related deaths in 2019.
·
A 2017 study showed that 65 percent of people injured by fireworks are
bystanders.
·
An April 2020 study
in JAMA Ophthalmology, showed that an estimated 34,548
firework-related eye injuries occurred between 1999 and 2017, with approximately
65 percent occurring in children. The most common injuries were ocular burns,
ocular foreign body, and conjunctival irritation. Most injuries occurred at
home (75 percent) with consumer use of fireworks during the 4th of July.
Although all types of consumer fireworks are dangerous, bottle rockets caused
the most severe injuries, such as ruptured globes.
There is significant variability among state and county laws regarding the use of consumer fireworks. Setting off fireworks at home is illegal in some states. For people in states in which it’s legal, here’s how to make sure your backyard celebration doesn’t end in the ER:
·
Don't pick up duds and
misfires: Fireworks nearly cost an Ohio firefighter his sight. He took all the right precautions for his
backyard Fourth of July fireworks celebration. But a split-second decision to
inspect a "dud" was almost fatal.
·
Supervise children
closely: Sparklers seem like harmless fun for the kids, but they are
responsible for about 1,400 eye injuries each year. Even those tiny poppers or
snappers can pose dangers.
·
Wear protective eyewear:
Ophthalmologists recommend American National Standards Institute
(ANSI)-approved protective eyewear. Stop by any hardware store and pick up some
safety glasses for the entire family.
If you or someone you know experiences a fireworks injury please schedule an appointment at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or Facebook.
Alabama Eye & Cataract Center is a leading eye care center in Birmingham located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine eye doctors and eye specialists.
