Firework injury

Burns are the most common type of firework injury comprising 59% of the total injuries in a 1987 study. The degree and level of contamination of this type of burn are all too frequently underestimated. The likely presence of tetanus spores in the paper or cardboard of the exploding device necessitates a course of systematic antibiotic (penicillin). Gunpowder residue, cardboard fibers, and ash are often tattooed into the burned area and makes these injuries likely candidates for surgical debridement and treatment. Appropriate follow-up of these patients is recommended to prevent possible burn contractures, infections, etc.
Sparklers may seem to be a safe form of patriotic celebration, but statistics show that sparklers accounted for the greatest number of injuries (36%) in the 1986 MCHD study. The greatest majority of these injuries are burns occurring to hand, leg, and facial area. Firecrackers were the second most common cause of injury, comprising 27 percent of total injuries.
The majority of fireworks-related injuries occur around the July 4th holiday, but it is not uncommon to see these injuries throughout the month of July and on Flag Day, Veteran's Day, New Year's Eve, etc. Although few in number, these injuries represent an additional type of trauma to the hand that receives little public attention.
Injuries to the fingers and hand were the most frequently reported injury in the 1986 study comprising 64% of all the fireworks injuries. These injuries most often will occur while attempting to light the fuse of the explosive device. The non dominant hand (usually holding the device) is most likely to be injured, and the dominant hand (usually holding the match, lighter, etc.) is most likely to be spared from severe injury. Injured patients often report that the fuse simply burned too quickly and ignited the device before the firework could be released or thrown.

Important Facts About Fireworks Eye Safety

Physicians at the Eye Institute offer these tips and facts to help keep you and your family safe during this Fourth of July holiday:

• Attend only professional fireworks displays. Don’t ever let your children play with fireworks of any kind.
• Fireworks were responsible for 19 deaths in the first 10 months of 1999.
• Fireworks sent 6,300 people to the emergency room during the 1999 Fourth of July holiday period (June 23 to July 23).
• All fireworks are dangerous. Firecrackers, bottle rockets, sparklers and Roman candles account for most firework injuries.
• Protect children. Don’t entertain the family with fireworks. Forty percent of those injured last year were under the age of 14, and many of them were bystanders.
• 30% of the injuries that occurred last year involved burns to hands, wrists and arms, and 20% of injuries were to the eyes.
• 10% of children injured by fireworks suffer permanent damage, such as the loss of an eye, a finger or a hand.
• Sparklers burn as hot as 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt gold. For children under the age of five, sparklers account for three-quarters of all fireworks injuries.
• Legal fireworks carry the name of the manufacturer, the words “Class C Common Fireworks,” and a warning label. If these are missing, you should consider them illegal and extremely unsafe.
• If you find unexploded fireworks, don’t touch them. Contact your local fire or police department immediately.