A new report suggests that children are at increased risk to be harmed by fireworks with sparklers, causing many serious injuries. (FIle photo)
Editor’s Note: This is a two-part series on fireworks,precautions, laws and safety tips for staying safe during the holiday.
HOUGHTON — A 2021 report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found a significant upward trend in fireworks-related injuries.
Between 2006 and 2021, injuries from fireworks climbed 25% in the U.S., according to CPSC estimates.
The report states that in 2021, at least nine people died and an estimated 11,500 were injured in incidents involving fireworks.
Aspirus Health, in a June 15 release, reported that every year, people suffer serious eye injuries from backyard fireworks displays. Most of the victims are children and bystanders located nowhere near the pyrotechnics.
Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs made a similar statement in 2019, on Michigan.gov., saying: “Sparklers should not be considered harmless for kids. A significant number of young children are injured by being poked with sparkler wires and are badly burned by sparklers each year, per the CPSC.”
More than 50% of sparkler-related injuries happen to kids under age 14 across the country, LARA stated.
While it may surprise many, sparklers alone caused 1,100 serious injuries in 2021.
Between June 18 and July 18, 2021, for children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for 63% of the total estimated injuries for that specific age group CPSC reported.
The Nationwide Children’s Hospital reports that the types of fireworks that cause the most injuries are firecrackers, sparklers and bottle rockets. The most frequently injured body parts are the hands, head/neck and eyes. Burns are the most common injury. Cuts, bumps and bruises are the most common injuries to the head. In addition to blindness, third-degree burns and permanent scarring, fireworks also cause life-threatening home and motor vehicle fires.
As the CPSC stated, sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing and can cause grass fires if thrown on the ground.
The Aspirus Health release stated the following:
“Most people just don’t see the harm in sparklers, spinners, firecrackers and bottle rockets, and they learn too late the necessity of wearing eye protection,” said Dianna Seldomridge, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “It’s best to leave fireworks to the professionals. But if you choose to celebrate with fireworks, wear safety goggles and take all the necessary precautions to keep your family safe.”
Aspirus Health and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the release states, are working to dispel the myths that put people at risk of blindness:
• Myth #1: Consumer fireworks are harmless. Fireworks can cause blinding eye injuries such as chemical and thermal burns, corneal abrasions or retinal detachment. If you live in a state where consumer fireworks are legal and have plans to use them, wear eye protection.
• Myth #2: Sparklers are made for kids and aren’t dangerous. Don’t let their small size fool you; sparklers burn at more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s hot enough to melt certain metals.
• Myth #3: Duds are harmless. Malfunctioning fireworks should be handled with caution. Do not try to relight faulty fireworks. Instead, soak it in water and throw the dud away.
• Myth #4: Only those handling the fireworks are at risk. The majority of firework-related eye injuries happen to bystanders. Watch fireworks from at least 500 feet away and make sure everyone is wearing eye protection.
“Leave the shows to the pros,” said Dustin Wasylik, DO, ophthalmologist at Aspirus Health. “If you are going to handle fireworks, both handlers and bystanders should wear protective eyewear.”
LARA offers these guidelines of to keep everyone safe during the Fourth of July holiday;
• Follow the manufacturer’s directions.
• Have an adult supervise fireworks activities, including sparklers.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then immediately back away to a safe distance.
• Keep people and pets out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Light fireworks outdoors on a driveway or other paved surface at least 25 feet away from houses and highly flammable materials such as dry grass or mulch.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Douse spent fireworks in a bucket of water before discarding them.
• Buy fireworks packaged in brown paper or use unlabeled fireworks – they are for professional use only.
• Experiment with or make your own fireworks.
• Allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
• Try to re-light “duds” or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. (Rather, wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.)
• Point or throw fireworks at other people.
• Carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
Sparklers should not be considered harmless for kids. A significant number of young children are injured by being poked with sparkler wires and are badly burned by sparklers each year, the CPSC reported.
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