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Everybody
loves a good old fashioned Fourth of July:
barbecues, picnics, parades, speeches, and
of course, fireworks! These are all
hallmarks of Fourth of July celebrations
in Florida.
A professional fireworks display is a
spectacular, beautiful, and impressive
event to watch. Yet even under the safest
of conditions, the personal use of
fireworks, firecrackers, and even
sparklers can be extremely dangerous,
causing severe injuries that range from
burned fingers to blindness and even to
death. Unfortunately, again this year,
fireworks will bring tragedy and blindness
from misuse by inconsiderate adults or
unsupervised children.
Roman candles, skyrockets and even
sparklers can brighten many children's
July 4 celebration. But those fireworks
all have one other thing in common: They
can destroy eyesight and cause blindness
beyond repair. Many injuries result in
total loss of sight or even total loss of
the eye itself, sometimes requiring
removal of the destroyed eye.
Most of these injuries are to young
children under 15 years of age.
Ten-thousand Americans will be injured by
fireworks this year alone. Some injuries
will be to careless fireworks users, but
50 percent will be to innocent bystanders.
As past president of the Florida Society
of Ophthalmology, I am reminded as July 4
approaches that more teenage boys will be
blinded by fireworks injuries this month
than from any other cause.
Speaking as an eye surgeon who treats
these unfortunate individuals who are cut,
bleeding, disfigured and frequently
blinded from these needless fireworks
injuries, I need no further convincing of
fireworks' severe and dangerous potential
for damage. Despite our highly
sophisticated surgical instruments and
even the latest procedures or lasers
available today, we are often unable to
save the eyes or restore the sight of
these young children who have had
fireworks explode in their faces.
As a medical advisor for the Society to
Prevent Blindness, I would like to offer
some recommendations to prevent blindness:
1. Always have a responsible adult present
for proper supervision. Unfortunately,
adult supervision is not sufficient unless
that person and each person is somewhat
familiar with the dangers of fireworks and
the general rules of safety. The
knowledgeable adults (parents) should
oversee individual use of even relatively
safe fireworks, such as sparklers. Adults
should never allow children to ignite or
handle the fireworks.
2. Never experiment by taking apart
fireworks or mixing more fireworks
together with other explosives. Never try
to make fireworks yourself.
3. Always light fireworks outdoors in a
cleared area away from houses, flammable
materials and innocent bystanders.
4. Only light one firework at a time, and
maintain a safe distance while lighting
each one.
5. Please keep a bucket of water nearby
for any emergencies.
6. Dispose of all fireworks properly, and
soak all malfunctioning fireworks in
water. Never try to re-ignite a bad fuse.
7. Always store your fireworks in a cool,
dry place until time for use, and avoid
rough handling that may damage the fuse or
handles.
8. Never ignite fireworks in a glass
container, aluminum can, or under clay
pots. All of these can explode and send
shrapnel that can blind you before you can
blink.
9. Always have sober, adult supervision
and wear protective eye wear.
10. Never throw sparklers into the air,
wave them near a person's eyes, or "sword
fight" with them.
11. Re-read the instruction labels before
igniting any product. Almost all injuries
are caused from misuse rather than product
defect.
12. In case of eye injury, do not press on
the eye. Please go to the nearest
emergency room and seek immediate care or
call a medical doctor or ophthalmologist.
Fireworks can be dangerous to even the
best trained people using the best
equipment. Fireworks can be blinding or
fatal is used by people who are drunk,
stupid, or inconsiderate. If you find
yourself exposed to this situation, you
can ask them to stop, call the police, or
move away to a safer area. These people
are breaking the law and endangering you
or your family, and you need to protect
yourself and your children.
The Fourth of July is America's birthday
celebration, but let's decide to celebrate
the Fourth of July safely.
Every community puts on impressive
fireworks shows, run by licensed
professionals. I recommend that everyone
attend one of these city sponsored
firework displays.
Help us save sight this Fourth of July.
If fireworks are ever used at home, please
follow the above guidelines, but always
remember: Fireworks are not toys!
Have a pleasant and safe Fourth of July. |
