Each year during the Fourth of July holiday thousands of people, mostly children, are seriously injured in fireworks-related incidents. Most of these preventable injuries, and the more than $20 million a year in fireworks-related property damage, are caused by the mishandling or misuse of fireworks by amateurs. The most serious of these injuries are permanent, resulting in the loss of an eye, a finger, or a life. That's why the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is encouraging fireworks enthusiasts to skip amateur displays for safer, more dramatic public fireworks shows put on by pyrotechnic professionals.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the National Association of State Fire Marshals, approximately 7,000 fireworks-related injuries occur each year in the U.S., while nearly 2,000 of these are eye injuries resulting in permanent eye damage or the removal of an eye.
Though many may suffer the loss of sight, others may also experience permanent hearing loss, suffer from second and third degree burns, or even undergo amputation. These are very serious injuries that are excruciatingly painful and will scar for life.
"Fireworks are not toys for children or adults to play with," says State Fire Marshal Ernest E. Russell. "The burns from fireworks can be intense, and they can scar for life. Fireworks can cause injuries other than burns by exploding and maiming the hands, body or eyes."
In 2000, at least 167 people were injured in Illinois, according to the results of a hospital survey conducted by the Office of the State Fire Marshal for a four week time period which include the Fourth of July holiday. Injuries affecting the eyes and fingers were the most common. Firecrackers (20 percent), bottle rockets (15 percent), and sparklers (17 percent), are responsible for most of the injuries (46 percent) according to the survey. The category 'unknown' (11 percent) comes in fourth on the list because the victims were injured by fireworks that were lit or thrown by other people.
Fireworks are illegal without a permit in Illinois. OSFM urges everyone to attend professional pyrotechnical displays where the whole family can enjoy fireworks at a safe distance.
"Fireworks pose threats year round, but with the Fourth of July holiday approaching, the likelihood of fires, injuries and even deaths related to fireworks misuse is even greater," said Russell.
According to the 2000 survey of hospitals within Illinois regarding fireworks, injuries affecting the fingers (29 percent), eyes (18 percent), and hands (14 percent), were the most common accounting for 61 percent of the fireworks-related injuries.
In Illinois, all fireworks are illegal unless a permit is authorized by local jurisdictions for supervised public displays. The term 'fireworks' does not include sparklers, smoke devices, snake and glow worm pellets, trick noisemakers and most forms of toy pistols using plastic or paper caps. Even these seemingly harmless devices can be dangerous; misuse of them by children can create dangerous situations. Sparklers, for example, reach temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and remain hot enough to cause serious burns even after they are extinguished. Fireworks are also especially dangerous for children because they entice children to play with matches, something they should never do.
"Matches and lighters in the hands of children and careless adults are already dangerous weapons, and then adding an explosive such as fireworks can be lethal," said Russell.
Injuries and burns are only part of the fireworks problem. These devices also cause numerous property-destroying fires every year. The National Fire Incident Reporting System in Illinois reports 766 fires started by fireworks in Illinois throughout 2000. These fires resulted in more than 4 million dollars worth of property damage.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal cautions everyone against using fireworks at home. The agency advocates attending public fireworks displays. State Fire Marshal Russell says, "Let's make July 4th and the entire year fireworks safe. Observe all fireworks safety rules, and leave fireworks use to the professionals."
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