The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates U.S. hospital emergency rooms treat about 10,500 people for fireworks-related injuries each year; one in three are children under 15. Most of the injuries happen mid-June through mid-July.
Because eye injuries related to consumer fireworks are a growing problem, this has prompted the International Council of Ophthalmology to endorse a global ban.
While fireworks are beautiful to watch and fun to enjoy, Mercy recommends leaving them to the professionals. If families insist on having their own fireworks, despite the well-documented risks involved, be cautious and follow these tips:
Surprisingly, even sparklers, which are mistakenly considered safe by consumers, can reach temperatures of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and are associated with 1,200 injuries a year, according to the CPSC, accounting for 20 percent of the injuries.
While taking precautions can help, injuries can still quickly occur. Not all burns need to be treated in the emergency room. Small burns should be wrapped in a clean, cold towel to stop the burning process, and evaluated as to whether they need further medical attention. If you are unsure about the severity of the burn, call 911 or report to your nearest hospital immediately. As in all cases, prevention is the best overall protection to ensure a safe and happy Fourth of July.
Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2017 by Truven, an IBM Watson Health company, serves millions annually. Mercy includes 44 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, more than 700 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 40,000 co-workers and more than 2,000 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Mercy also has outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.