Practice Firework Safety This Summer
BINGHAMTON, NY - The Broome County Health Department warns there is only one way to enjoy fireworks safely, go to a professional display and leave the work to the professionals.
Diane O'Hora, Supervising Public Health Educator for the Broome County Health Department, warns Broome County residents not to have a day of celebration be ruined by injury to a friend or loved one by the use of harmful illegal fireworks.
In 2003, four people died and an estimated 9,300 were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in the United States. Most of these injuries occur in homes.
Fireworks-related injuries most frequently involve hands and fingers; eyes and the head and face. More than half of the injuries are burns.
While many kinds of firecrackers and rockets are known to cause serious injuries, sparklers were associated with the most injuries for children under five. Sparklers burn at more than 1800 degrees; hot enough to melt gold. Children are often excited and are curious around fireworks. Their chances of being injured increase when they re-examine a firecracker dud that initially fails to ignite.
For children ages 5 to 14 years and people ages 15 to 24 years, firecrackers, rockets, and other devices (including sparklers) were the source of most injuries. Males represent 72% of all injuries.
In addition to medical costs directly and indirectly caused by fireworks injuries, U.S. fire departments reported approximately 24,200 fireworks-related fires in 1999 that were estimated to have cost $17.2 million in direct property damage.
"Illegal, dangerous fireworks are not needed to celebrate the holiday. Attend a locally sponsored fireworks display and avoid the risk of injury by letting the professionals provide the show," O'Hora stated.
CONTACT:
Diane O'Hora, Supervising Public Health Educator
Broome County Health Department: 607.778.3921
email: dohora@co.broome.ny.us
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