Firework Safety

I know that the 4th of July is on Friday and I just wanted to post some fireworks safety advice so that everyone can have a fun and safe 4th of July.

According to PREVENT BLINDNESS AMERICA, nearly 13,000 fireworks victims keep hospitals busy every year. More than half of those injured are children. Fireworks not only injure users, but also 40 percent of fireworks mishaps injure bystanders.
The three types of fireworks that keep hospital emergency rooms busy during this holiday period are bottle rockets, firecrackers, and sparklers. Bottle rockets and firecrackers can fly in any direction prior to exploding and sparklers burn at temperatures hot enough to melt gold.

One of the reasons fireworks injuries continue to occur is because people just don’t consider how dangerous these devices can be. People often don’t realize - until they are injured - that the risk of blindness or injury outweighs the excitement of taking risks with fireworks. And giving fireworks to young children can mean a trip to the hospital emergency room.

While most fireworks injuries do occur during the July 4 holiday, many injuries also happen during Labor Day, New Years Eve, Christmas, and Mardi Gras.

Sparklers are the second highest cause of fireworks injuries that requires hospitalization. Most of these injuries occur among preschool-age children. Sparklers are dangerous because they burn at a temperature that is hot enough to burn gold.

When it comes to fireworks, no one is safe! Prevent blindness estimates that nearly 40 percent of fireworks injuries are to bystanders.

Bottle Rockets are among the most dangerous fireworks available today. They account for the majority of all fireworks injuries that lead to permanent eye damage. Bottle Rockets can move as fast as 200 miles per hour, explode in mid air, and fly in any direction.