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A Fourth
of July to Remember
Fireworks Safety |
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By Matt Slagle
Hot dogs and burgers sizzling on the grill. Parades awash in
red, white, and blue flags. Sparkling, thunderous explosions in
the night sky. What Fourth of July wouldn’t be complete without
some good food and patriotism capped with some thrilling
pyrotechnics?
Celebrating the independence of our nation by blowing up a small
part of it is a time-honored tradition. But for thousands of
people each year, the revelry ends early with an unexpected trip
to the emergency room. The improper or illegal use of fireworks
killed eight people and sent roughly 7,000 more to the hospital
in 2008, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC).
Safety First
Enjoying the rockets’ red glare doesn’t have to be dangerous. In
fact, there are some easy ways to avoid getting injured,
according to
Vimal T. George, M.D., a family
practitioner at The Austin Diagnostic Clinic (ADC).
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“Fireworks are one of the
highlights of any Fourth of July celebration,” Dr. George says.
“But the best way to avoid getting injured is by leaving the
fireworks to the professionals. It’s usually more dazzling, and
far safer, for everyone involved.”
Many cities and counties conduct spectacular fireworks displays
with products that are much more potent than what consumers can
legally obtain. And the risk of accident or injury, while always
present with explosive devices, is lower when you have a trained
fireworks professional running the show. What’s more, local fire
and medical officials are typically present at such events to
provide immediate help if there is an accident.
This viewpoint is supported by the American Academy of
Pediatrics, which suggests that children and their families
should be counseled to attend public fireworks displays rather
than purchase fireworks for home use.
Health Dangers
According to the CSPC, the most common parts of the body to be
injured are the hands, followed by the eyes, head, face, and
ears. Of the 7,000 injuries reported in 2008, the most recent
year statistics are available, more than half were burns, and
nearly half of all injuries were to children under age 15.
Firecrackers caused the most injuries, followed by rockets and
sparklers. Fireworks have also been associated with blindness
and permanent scarring from burns.
“Fireworks can sometimes be unpredictable, and may pose a
variety of potential health risks: bottle rockets can fly into
peoples' faces and cause eye injuries, and sparklers— which burn
at more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit—can ignite clothing,” Dr.
George explains. “And firecrackers can injure the hands or face
if they explode at close range.”
Bombs Away
The risks won’t stop some people from putting on their own
private explosive display. The consumer fireworks industry is a
$940 billion a year industry, according to the American
Pyrotechnics Association, and Texas is one of the most lenient
states in the nation when it comes to what consumers can and
can’t buy. In fact, just about every consumer firework
imaginable – smoke bombs, bottle rockets, Roman candles,
sparklers, and more – is legally sold in the Lone Star State
during the Fourth of July and New Year holidays. Specifically,
legal fireworks are permitted for sale in Texas from June 24
through July 4, and again between December 20 and January 1.
But just because you can buy them doesn’t mean you can launch
them from your driveway. Most municipalities have strict bans on
igniting consumer fireworks within city limits. Beyond that,
fireworks are often illegal because of burn bans imposed as a
result of dry weather. The bottom line: if you’re not sure about
fireworks laws, check with your local authorities. Breaking the
law in Texas is generally a misdemeanor, with fines and possible
jail time varying from city to city.
“Fireworks can be a fun way to celebrate the Fourth of July with
friends and family,” Dr. George adds. “But always remember,
fireworks can also be extremely dangerous, so it’s very
important that proper safety precautions be taken to prevent
potentially life-threatening injuries.” |
Beyond leaving it to the
pros, there are some simple, common-sense tips that can help
prevent fireworks injuries.
• Always have an adult
present, and never allow children to play with or ignite
fireworks.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting
fireworks.
• Only light fireworks outside on a smooth, flat surface away
from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
• Never try to re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes
and then soak it in a bucket of water).
• Keep a hose and/or a bucket of water nearby in case of a
malfunction or fire.
• Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
• Light only one firework at a time.
• Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and
then disposing of them in your trash can.
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
• The person igniting fireworks should always wear eye and ear
protection and never have any part of the body over the
firework.
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Vimal T. George, M.D., is a
family practitioner at The Austin Diagnostic Clinic, and sees
patients at ADC’s Family Practice and Pediatric Center, 2400
Cedar Bend Dr. ADC is a multi-specialty clinic with more than
120 physicians representing 24 medical specialties at six
locations throughout Austin and Central Texas. Visit
www.adclinic.com or call 512-901-4026 for more information.
Matt Slagle is a Cedar Park writer and sleep-deprived father of
two young children, 2-year-old Isaac and 6-month-old Colette. |
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