Family Safety
Backyard, Public Fireworks Celebrations
It's a known fact: fireworks can cause all kinds of serious injuries, including eye damage and blindness -- sometimes even when it's not the victim's fault. A case in point is a 13-year-old boy who had eye surgery at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami after being seriously injured in a fireworks accident. All the boy was doing was simply riding his bicycle in the neighborhood when someone deliberately threw a lit firecracker at him.
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"Consumer-purchased fireworks such as sparklers, firecrackers, and bottle rockets, are extremely dangerous when it comes to eye injuries," says Basil K. Williams, M.D., Chief Resident at Bascom Palmer.
"Each year more than 9,000 injuries are caused by pyrotechnics and hundreds of kids and adults end up with severe fireworks injuries and burns. Common eye injuries include burns, lacertations, abrasion, retinal detachment, optic nerve damage and ruptured eyeballs. Even sparklers can blind you, so they are not toys and young children should not be allowed to handle them."
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Safe Fireworks Handling Tips
It goes without saying that you should only purchase legal consumer fireworks and use them only where they are permitted.
In addition, Bascom Palmer offers these ideas for eye injury prevention
- Never allow young kids to play with fireworks of any type, even sparklers
- Everyone handling or watching fireworks as bystanders should always wear protective eyewear
- Older children must also be closely supervised when using fireworks and should never be left without a responsible adult present
- Have a bucket of water or garden house standing ready to use in an emergency in case of fire or flames
- Do not relight or handle a malfunctioning firework, instead soak them with water and dispose of properly
- To avoid a trash can fire, be sure to thoroughly soak all fireworks that have completed burning before throwing them out
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If you are attending a public fireworks display show
- View the display from no closer than 500 feet
- Respect all established safety barriers
- Follow all directions from firemen, police and other security personnel
- Do not touch unexploded fireworks
If Fireworks Accident Occurs
- Seek medical attention immediately, calling 911 if necessary
- If any particles get into the eye, never touch or rub it
- DO NOT rinse the eyes
- DO NOT apply any ointments to eye or take any blood-thinning pain medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- If a sharp object enter the eye do NOT pull it out, instead put a loose bandage on the affected eye without applying pressure and go to the hospital emergency room immediately.
About Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami School of Medicine is ranked among the nation's best in ophthalmology by U.S. News & World Report. For additional information visit bascompalmer.org or call 800-329-7000.
Best Wishes for a Safe &
Happy Fourth of July
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FTC Disclosure: Readers should keep in mind that this blogpost is not a substitute for advice by a qualified medical professional of your choice. See complete FTC Disclosure that appears at the bottom of MBE's home page and at the bottom of every individual post including this one.