‘Leave the show to the pros’
There are no safe fireworks, Parkland Burn Center staff caution
Summer is synonymous with pool parties, backyard barbecues, family gatherings and fireworks. But if you’re not careful, the festivities can quickly turn into emergency room visits.
In 2020, at least 18 people died from fireworks-related incidents, compared to 12 reported for the previous year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Of the 18 deaths, eight of the victims (44%) had used alcohol or drugs prior to the incident. In addition, about 15,600 people were treated in hospital emergency departments for fireworks injuries in 2020, compared to about 10,000 ER-treated fireworks injuries the previous year.
Fireworks also start an average of 19,500 fires per year, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires and 17,100 outside and other fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These fires caused an average of five deaths, 46 civilian injuries and an average of $105 million in direct property damage.
In the last five years, 43 patients were hospitalized in Parkland Memorial Hospital’s Burn Center due to burn injuries sustained from fireworks. A few were young children who were accidentally struck by a firework when an adult lost control or it went off unexpectedly. Some of the injuries were severe enough to require hospitalization, skin grafting and rehabilitation.
“Burns from fireworks usually involve the hands, face, arms and chest areas,” said Sarah Scoins, MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN, ACCNS-AG, Parkland’s Burn Outreach and Injury Prevention Educator. “Fireworks can be dangerous and everyone must remember that they can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries.”
And even though they don’t appear to be as dangerous as fireworks that light the night sky, sparklers burn hot enough (1200 degrees Fahrenheit) to cause third-degree burns. In comparison, water boils at 212 degrees F., cakes bake at 350 degrees F. and glass melts at 900 degrees F.
“People don’t realize how hot sparklers can get and how dangerous they can be for children, even with supervision,” Scions said. “It only takes a second to drop a sparkler on a foot or brush it up against someone’s clothing. In terms of accident statistics, sparklers are the most dangerous kind of fireworks. A few minutes of excitement isn’t worth a lifetime injury.”
If fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you choose to use them, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the NFPA recommend the following safety tips:
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks
- Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
- Never light them indoors
- Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
- Never ignite devices in a container
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
- Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
If a burn injury does happen, cool the burn with cool (not cold) water to stop the burning process, remove all clothing and jewelry from the injured area, cover the area with a dry clean sheet or loose bandages and seek medical attention, Scoins said.
“Instead of risking lifelong injuries, there are ways to get into the patriotic spirit without fireworks,” Scoins said. “Use glow sticks, which are a safe alternative to a sparkler. Noise makers can be purchased at local party suppliers, or even enjoy an outdoor movie night by setting up a screen and projector. The bottom line is, leave the fireworks to the pros.”
Established in 1962, the Parkland Burn Center provides care to more than 800 inpatients annually. Serving North Texas and surrounding areas, this comprehensive burn center is one of only 64 verified burn centers in North America and the only one verified to treat adults and pediatrics in North Texas, and provides all services from emergency treatment to intensive care to rehabilitation and outpatient follow-up care.
For more information on services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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