Firework Safety Priority During Fourth of July - Archived

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Firework Safety Priority During Fourth of July

Louisville, Ky. (July 1, 2016) – As horses are to the Kentucky Derby, fireworks are to the Fourth of July. Bright lights, loud bursts and colorful flying displays signifying the national holiday add to an enjoyable July 4th celebration. Firework precautions should be considered to ensure a safe holiday event. KentuckyOne Health warns of the possible dangers associated with fireworks.
 
“Firework injuries can be severe, causing injury to the hands, fingers and arms,” said Matthew Bozeman, MD, trauma surgeon, University of Louisville Hospital. “Fireworks are fundamentally controlled explosions, so it’s important to take take precautions to ensure fireworks are properly used.” 
 
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that in 2014, about 10,500 people were treated in hospital rooms across the country for injuries associated with fireworks. Sixty-seven percent of those injuries occurred between June 20-July 20. During this timeframe, more than half of the fireworks-related injuries were burns, and many injuries involved hands and fingers, the head, legs and arms. CPSC data shows that children under the age of 15 years old accounted for 35 percent of the estimated injuries around the Fourth of July.
 
CPSC data from 2014 also showed that during the month surrounding July 4, nine people died in fireworks-related incidents. In at least two incidents, the victims were not the users.
 
“Older children should be closely supervised when using fireworks, and younger children should not be allowed to play with fireworks, including sparklers.” said Dr. Bozeman. “Fireworks should always be used with extreme caution. You can celebrate the upcoming holiday with fireworks, but you must do so safely.”
 
Regardless of age, gender or involvement level, a safe environment with the correct precautions will minimize the chance of injury for everyone and enhance Independence Day festivities.
 
The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends the following when handling fireworks for any occasion:
 
Do
•      Have an adult present
•      Keep a water source nearby
•      Use common sense
•      Read and follow directions on labels
•      Buy from a reliable source
•      Use eye protection
•      Light one firework at a time
 
Don’t
•      Wear loose clothing
•      Allow children to play or ignite fireworks
•      Point fireworks or wave sparklers
•      Ignite more than one at a time
•      Mix drinking and fireworks
•      Try to re-light or pick up a faulty firework
•      Make or use homemade products
•      Launch from glass or metal containers
 
 
For video of Dr. Bozeman discussing firework safety, as well as video inside the emergency department at University of Louisville Hospital, go to https://youtu.be/pC7sIjdtVYE. 
 
 
About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health, the largest and most comprehensive health system in the Commonwealth, has more than 200 locations including, hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies in Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is dedicated to bringing wellness, healing and hope to all, including the underserved.  The system is made up of the former Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System, along with the the University of Louisville Hospital and James Graham Brown Cancer Center. KentuckyOne Health is proud of and strengthened by its Catholic, Jewish and academic heritages.