In the ER, one night as I dressed a patient's burns from fireworks to discharge him from the ER, he laughed and said "I guess I should have realized it was a bad idea, when the guy selling me fireworks had only 4 fingers".
Sometimes, you just shouldn't ignore the signs the universe is sending 🙂
Which is why today, we’re talking fireworks safety – because ER visits for fireworks injuries spike on July 4 – and stay there the entire month.
You may be surprised to know that the ones most at risk, are the youngest children.
Nearly 1/3 of fireworks injuries are in children under 15.
And maybe also surprised by WHICH fireworks cause the most injuries.
Nope, it’s not the massive rockets you may be thinking, that injure more people every year. In fact, it’s “sparklers” that worry me the most. Sparklers also cause nearly half of all fireworks injuries in children under 5. That’s because they seem to be (or at least are promoted as) a “safer alternative”, which leads many to allow children to play with them – but sparklers can reach temperatures far above that needed to melt glass. They also remain extremely hot AFTER they’ve burned out – which leads many people every year to touch them, thinking they’re cool, because they’re no longer bright.
Where are the most common injuries?
- Burns
- Eye injuries
- Hand fractures, lacerations, or amputations
- Facial injuries
- Explosion / shrapnel
- Fires (housefire, fire in the grass, woods, etc)
Reported examples of injuries
· An 18-month-old girl burned her foot when she stepped on a burning sparkler.
· A 2-year-old girl burned her eyelid when she touched a sparkler that had burned out but was still hot.
· An 8-year old boy suffered a corneal abrasion when sparks from a sparkler flew into his left eye.
· An 11-year-old suffered a corneal abrasion when the firecracker he was trying to re-light went off.
· Someone aimed a Roman candle at a group of people and the device burned a 13-year-old boy on the neck and back.
· An 18-year-old male suffered lacerations to his fingers, and chest and arm abrasions when the M-80 he lit went off immediately.
· A 27-year-old man’s finger was amputated when the firework shell he lit exploded in his hand
BUT – not personally using fireworks doesn’t mean you can’t still celebrate! Here’s how to do it safely. And keep your friendly local ER doctor happy.
- Leave it to the pros – Go to a local park or show where fireworks are done by someone who actually does this for a living! (and is far far away from you)
- Light it up with glow sticks, necklaces, and glow wands – fun for all ages! (give everyone a bunch)
- Make some noise with noise makers
- Outdoor movie night / Outdoor watching the July 4 pops / symphony.
- Red, white, and blue silly string
- It’s the US’s birthday! Bring some cake!
- Red/white/blue pinwheels
- Red/white/blue candy table
One of the refrains I think frequently in the ER is “If only I could have spoken to this person 5 hours ago” – I think that regularly. And I hate it. SO, consider this my chance to talk to you. Let’s keep you safe this summer!
Ever had a fireworks / sparkler injury – or a near miss? Double tap or leave a comment below! (and LMK how you plan to celebrate this 4th!)
All my best,
- Dr. Darria
