Emergency Room Not Part of 4th of July Plans

(ARA) - Hot dogs, barbecues and get-togethers are how many Americans will plan to enjoy Independence Day this year. But no one plans a trip to the emergency room for the holiday. Unfortunately, that's what 6,500 people did in 2005 due to accidents caused by fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to the latest data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. There were 10,800 firework-related injuries for the entire year, an increase of 1,200 injuries from 2004.

Sadly, many of those injured were children. In fact, 45 percent of all fireworks injuries are to those aged 15 and younger. Most injuries are to the hands and fingers, but 1,400 were eye injuries, including contusions and lacerations, debris in the eye and burns. Eye injuries can take a very long time to heal, and some result in permanent vision loss.

Firecrackers and rockets are unpredictable. Some explode prematurely and rockets can take different flight paths than expected.

Even devices considered to be "safe and sane" fireworks are dangerous. In 2005, there were 500 children under the age of 5 that were hurt by sparklers. In fact, sparklers accounted for half of all fireworks injuries to children in that age group. Sparklers can burn up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, while their sparks can ignite surrounding objects including clothing and shoes, causing terrible and painful burns.

Prevent Blindness America, the nation's oldest eye health and safety organization, urges everyone to leave fireworks to the professionals this year. Many communities offer spectacular displays to the public, free of charge. The group also offers a free brochure, "Safe Summer Celebrations" with creative ideas on how to celebrate the holiday without fireworks.

Prevent Blindness America has these tips to help prevent fireworks-related injuries:

* Do not purchase, use or store fireworks of any type.
* Be aware that even sparklers are dangerous and cause one half of fireworks injuries in children 5 and younger.
* Protect yourself, your family and your friends by avoiding fireworks.
* Attend only authorized public fireworks displays conducted by licensed operators.
* Support legislation that bans the importation, general sale and indiscriminate usage of fireworks by children and adults.

If someone's eye is injured in a fireworks accident, do the following:

If there are specks in the eye:
* DO NOT rub the eye.
* Lift the upper eyelid outward and down over the lower lid.
* Try to let tears wash out specks or particles.
* If the speck doesn't wash out, keep the eye closed, bandage tightly and see a doctor or go to the emergency room.

If the eye or eyelid is cut or punctured:
* DO NOT wash out the eye with water.
* DO NOT try to remove an object stuck in the eye.
* Cover the eye with a rigid shield, such as the bottom half of a paper cup, without pressure.
* See a doctor immediately.

For a free copy of the Safe Summer Celebrations brochure or more tips on fireworks safety, call Prevent Blindness America at (800) 331-2020 or log on to www.preventblindness.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent