Health news, tips and features: Healia Health Blog

July 1st, 2008

Stay Safe and Avoid Handling Fireworks This Fourth of July

Health News posted 4 years ago by The Healia Team

In 2007, approximately 6,400 Americans spent part of their Fourth of July holiday in an emergency room due to firework-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The number of firework-related injuries has remained relatively constant each year despite consumer warnings. Many firework-related injuries result in long-term disabilities.

The National Fire Protection Association found that legal fireworks cause more injuries than illegal ones. Most severe firework-related injuries are actually caused by fireworks that are approved by Federal regulations.

Eyes are commonly injured in fireworks accidents. According to the American Society of Ocular Trauma, about 400 Americans permanently lose vision in at least one eye from firework-related injuries each year.

Prevent Blindness America, a nonprofit dedicated to eye health and to fighting blindness recommends the following alternatives to fireworks for children July 4th:

During the day, let the kids decorate t-shirts or hats with paint and glow-in-the-dark decals. Their creations will be ready by the time the sun goes down.
Create your own noisemakers by using bicycle horns, whistles, bells, cymbals, or pots and pans.
Glo-sticks, glo-ropes, and glo-jewelry can safely light the night for kids.

Happy Fourth of July from Healia!