4th Of July Firework Safety: How To Avoid The Most Common Injuries Suffered On Independence Day
With 4th of July weekend right around the corner, families across the United States are getting ready to pack up the car and head to the beach for a few days of fun in the sun. And since it is Independence Day after all, no summer would be complete without a July 4th fireworks show. Although legal fireworks displays are easy to find, most Americans will opt for the DIY method of entertainment. Unfortunately, this results in 20,000 fires, $32 million in property damage, and 9,300 serious injuries each year.
As you may know, fireworks come in all shapes and sizes. What may surprise you is that the smallest fireworks tend to cause the most damage. Firecrackers account for 32 percent of firework-related injuries compared to 12 percent caused by bottle rockets, 12 percent by sparklers, nine percent by reloadable shells, four percent by roman candles, and three percent by multiple tubes. Unsurprisingly, men account for 72.3 percent of injuries linked to fireworks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fireworks often result in death and serious injuries, including burns, contusions, lacerations, and foreign objects in the eye. As to where these injuries occur, 14 percent are sustained around the torso, seven percent around the legs, five percent the feet, four percent the arms, four percent the hands and fingers, and four percent the head and neck. Just don’t forget to keep a bucket on hand.
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