Stay Safe This Independence Day; Prevent Fireworks-Related Injuries

The Fourth of July may mean sparklers and fireworks but it's no excuse for disregarding fire safety.

Although fireworks are perfect for a patriotic celebration, they are dangerous and cause thousands of injuries every year. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Fireworks Annual Report, about 7,000 people receive treatment in hospital emergency rooms every year for fireworks-related injuries. 

Fireworks, when handled by amateurs, can cause widespread fires, bodily harm and plenty of property damage. In 2010, the Naperville Police Department received 181 fireworks complaints, with 94 being in July.

Dr. Tom Scaletta, medical director of Edward Hospital Emergency Services in Naperville, said every year he treats fireworks-related injuries, with the most common caused by mishandling of fireworks.

"I've seen people lose tips of their fingers when they hold firecrackers and I've seen people become blind in one eye," Scaletta said. "Usually the hands and the eyes are the two areas that get in the most trouble."

Most important, Scaletta warned, children should stay away from fireworks, especially sparklers. Sparklers may not explode or project into the air, but they can reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, which, according to the National Council on Fireworks Safety, is hot enough to melt metals including gold. Even the slightest contact could cause severe skin burns and ignite clothing.

Plus, the most common fireworks-related injuries are found with boys between the ages of 10 to 14. 

"A lot of people put sparklers in the hands of little kids just because they want them to do something but these sparklers are unbelievably hot," Scaletta said. "Kids run around with them but they can burn themselves and burn other kids because they are basically holding a little torch."

A news release by the city of Naperville urged parents to keep fireworks away from children. The Lemont Fire Protection District also reported that two out of five people injured by fireworks are under the age of 15, with 18,000 fires caused by fireworks.

If someone is injured by fireworks, Scaletta advised keeping the wound clean and dry and to treat minor burns with cold water. He also noted that blisters should be kept intact, as they prevent infection and act as a bandage for the wounded skin.

As for eye injuries, Scaletta said the smallest particle landing on the eye after an explosion could cause severe damage and should be looked at immediately.

By law, Illinois does not allow the purchase of any fireworks that explode or release projectiles into the air, but does allow the possession of sparklers or firecrackers. Still, Cook County State Attorney Anita Alvarez warns that attempting a private fireworks display is unnecessary for celebrating Independence Day.

"Don't risk injury to yourself or to other this holiday weekend by trying to put on your own private fireworks display," Alvarez wrote in a news release. "With the Fourth of July falling on a Monday this year, there will be plenty of opportunities, all weekend long, to catch impressive, professionally conducted fireworks displays, from a safe distance."

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