Advice on how to Prevent Fireworks Injuries
Fireworks are nearly as American as apple pie and ice cream on Fourth of July. However, people often have little concept of the danger of fireworks and refuse to believe that anything disastrous can happen to them. Practicing safety tips recommended by professionals will ensure that fireworks will be much safer, minimizing risk of injury, whether on the Fourth of July or any other day.
Caution is imperative where there are fireworks
Fireworks enthusiasts often just go out and purchase an assortment of fireworks, looking for the biggest bang for their bucks, literally. The bigger the boom, the larger and more colorful the fireworks, the better. Of course, many of us have to purchase fireworks that will outdo the neighbor’s department store legal fireworks. So we head across the state lines of a neighboring state where more elaborate fireworks are legal and wait in line with the rest of the customers hoping to get out of town quick, back across the border and home with our stash before someone with a badge and flashing red light finds out what we’re up to.
If you are going to use fireworks and set them off yourself, use caution! Follow manufacturer instructions completely. Never pick up or go near fireworks that have not fully or properly launched after being set off. That may sound like good advice, but none of us who are not licensed, with proper training are really competent enough to handle dangerous fireworks. There are many people and their loved ones who may wish that they heeded the advice that the best way to avoid injury from fireworks is to leave it to the professionals.
Severe injury or death is potential consequence of not leaving fireworks to professionals
In the article “Fireworks nearly killed Valley teen,” KPHO-5 revealed that Matt Crosbie is sharing the story of his near-death experience with fireworks. In 2004, he and other teenagers were “messing around” with fireworks when he decided to light one and throw it from a moving car. Instead, it exploded and the car was turned “into a fireball.” He was burned over 65% of his body, has permanent damage to his right arm and hand, with extensive scarring.
In 2007, Jason Henderson was following instructions he had found on the internet to make M-80 style fireworks. Now he travels nationwide to explain the potential dangers of fireworks and encourage others to leave fireworks to those professionally trained and licensed in the manufacture and launching of fireworks.
When attempting to make his fireworks, static electricity set off the container that Mr. Henderson was mixing up his batch of homemade fireworks in. Jason Henderson lost both hands and his right eye when the container was set off.WOOD-TV 8 reportedon Henderson’s injuries and his taking to the stage on Fourth of July 2010 in Washington, D.C. to tell his story. Jason Henderson said that “people don’t realize that fireworks are not toys.”
Injury and death from fireworks can be avoided if left to the experts
In the United Press International (UPI) article, “40 percent of fireworks injuries to kids,” Dr. Wendy Pomerantz from the Comprehensive Children’s Injury Center at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital medical Center says that over 1,900 people show up at emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries in the thirty days around the Fourth of July. Of those 1,900 people, 40 percent are children.
Dr. Pomerantz says that “the best way to prevent injuries from fireworks is to only attend outdoor displays that are put on by experienced professionals.”
For those who do have their own fireworks, Dr. Pomerantz, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggest that children never be allowed to light or handle any fireworks. Also suggested is to properly dispose of used fireworks by first soaking them in water before disposing in the trash.
The best way to avoid the risk of serious injury or death caused by fireworks is to leave fireworks manufacture and launch to the experts. Do not risk permanent disfigurement or disability or the death of loved ones or your own death by attempting to make or launch your own illegal fireworks. Practicing safe fireworks tips will keep you and your family a lot safer and will prevent fireworks injuries.
