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 D’Ambrosio Eye Care at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, or Facebook so that we can help.
D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater Boston, central and western Massachusetts with office locations at 479 Old Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 865 Merriam Avenue, Suite 119, Leominster, Massachusetts 01453, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts 01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331, 74 Main Street, Gardner, Massachusetts 01440 and 255 Park Avenue, Suite 606, Worcester, Massachusetts 01609.
