Eye on Fireworks Safety

As some local professional fireworks displays are threatened with cancellation this year due to the constraints of a difficult economy, Mass. Eye and Ear physicians encourage you not to give in to the temptation to put on your own show.  Each year, thousands of people are injured while using fireworks.

Fireworks can cause serious injuries including burns, lacerations, eye injuries, vision loss, dismemberment and even death. The risk of injury is higher for children: more than two and a half times higher for children  ages five to nine and 10 to 14.

In 2007, United States hospital emergency departments treated close to 10,000 people due to fireworks-related injuries. Even sparklers, which are often mistakenly considered harmless, are responsible for 22 percent of fireworks-related injuries. Sparklers can burn to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt glass and cause third-degree burns. 

Nearly 70 percent of fireworks injuries in 2007 consisted of injuries to the head, hands, face or eyes. Fireworks can rupture, burn, cut, scrape and severely bruise the eye, as well as facial areas surrounding the eye.

Physicians at Mass. Eye and Ear urge you to recognize that the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave it to the professionals. Take advantage of any professional (and often, FREE) fireworks displays that are available this Independence Day holiday.  Even during a professional display, never handle any fireworks that might remain. If previously ignited, these can discharge and cause injuries. Children should be told not to pick up fireworks if they find them, and to tell an adult immediately.

If an eye injury does occur:

• Do not try to remove any protruding objects from the eye.
   
• Flush the eye with water to remove any particles that are present.
   
• Cover the eye loosely for comfort and seek immediate medical attention.

Click here to view a demonstration about the dangers fireworks can pose. Hear what from Dr. Raymond Wee, former director of the Eye Trauma Service at Mass. Eye and Ear, has to say about the dangers of amateur fireworks use and about keeping yourself and others safe from the dangers of fireworks.

Mass. Eye and Ear’s Eye Trauma Service provides specialized care to patients who have suffered severe and extensive eye injuries. The Eye Trauma Service is open 24-hours a day, seven days a week. For more information, contact the Eye Trauma Service at (617) 573-3022.

Mass. Eye and Ear wishes you a fun-filled and safe holiday!

Source: Information compiled from www.nfpa.org and www.MassEyeAndEar.org

Page updated 6/11/09