Prevent Sparkler Injuries on the Fourth of July
The American Society for Surgery of the Hand urges parents to take the proper precautions this holiday season and keep sparklers out of the hands of children. Also offers tips for consumer fireworks safety.
Rosemont, IL— The American Society for Surgery of the Hand urges parents to
take the proper precautions this holiday season and keep sparklers out of the
hands of children.
As Independence Day celebrations draw near, children
anxiously anticipate the skies lighting up with bursts of color and lights.
Unaware of the dangers, parents often allow their children partake in the
festivities by holding and spinning lit sparklers.
Sparklers can reach
temperatures as hot as 2,000 degrees -- approximately six times as hot as a pan
of cooking oil -- and should not be placed in the hands of children. If
sparklers are to be used, they should be set in the ground, and at an
appropriate distance away from children.
According to a 2004 U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission report, 2,000 sparkler-related injuries
occurred within a one-month period in 2003 (June 20-July 20). Of these 2,000
injuries, 1,000 injuries were reported in children 14 years and younger. 500
additional sparkler-related accidents were reported in children
15-24.
“Many families celebrate the Fourth of July with backyard
fireworks and sparklers, but it’s important to understand the risks involved.
More than one-third of fireworks-related injuries include burns, lacerations,
fractures and traumatic amputation to the fingers, hands or arms,” says Terry R.
Light, MD, president of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. “We
encourage people to enjoy firework displays put on by their city or other
organizations—to leave fireworks to the professionals. But for those people that
want to have fireworks of their own, we hope we can remind adults to create a
fun, safe environment.”
Fireworks of some kind are legal in 44 states,
from firecrackers to ground-launched types. But all fireworks, even sparklers,
can become dangerous if used improperly or without a thorough understanding of
their hazards. The most common backyard fireworks—firecrackers, bottle rockets
and sparklers—cause 57 percent of all fireworks injuries.
While the
American Society for Surgery of the Hand does not endorse the use of consumer
fireworks, it realizes that people will still set off fireworks on their own.
This being the case, the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and the
National Council of Fireworks Safety offer the following tips:
-Never use
illegal fireworks. Commonly known as M-80s, M-100s, blockbusters or
quarterpounders, these devices have been federally banned since 1966. Illegal
fireworks will not show a manufacturers name or label.
-One person - clearly
identified - should be responsible for igniting fireworks.
-Intoxicated
people should not light fireworks.
-Be sure other people—especially
children—and pets are out of range before lighting fireworks. Keep everyone away
from falling debris as well. The debris will still be hot or on fire.
-When
setting off fireworks, always have a bucket of water and a running hose
nearby.
-Only ignite one firework at a time.
-Never attempt to relight a
“dud.” If a firework doesn’t ignite, wait 15 minutes and soak the firework in a
bucket of water.
-Dispose of spent fireworks by soaking them in water and
then placing them in an outdoor trash can.
-Should an accident occur,
pressure should be applied to control bleeding, and an ambulance should be
called immediately.
For more information about the American Society for
Surgery of the Hand and its free “Find a Hand Surgeon” service offered to the
general public, please visit: www.handcare.org.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/6/prweb255095.htm