Most Accidental Blinding From
Fireworks
By:
Florida
Eye Centers
Everybody
loves a good old fashioned Fourth of July: barbecues, picnics,
parades, speeches, and of course, fireworks! These are all
hallmarks of Fourth of July celebrations in Florida.
A professional fireworks display is a spectacular, beautiful, and
impressive event to watch. Yet even under the safest of
conditions, the personal use of fireworks, firecrackers, and even
sparklers can be extremely dangerous, causing severe injuries that
range from burned fingers to blindness and even to death.
Unfortunately, again this year, fireworks will bring tragedy and
blindness from misuse by inconsiderate adults or unsupervised
children.
Roman candles, skyrockets and even sparklers can brighten many
children's July 4 celebration. But those fireworks all have one
other thing in common: They can destroy eyesight and cause
blindness beyond repair. Many injuries result in total loss of
sight or even total loss of the eye itself, sometimes-requiring
removal of the destroyed eye.
Most of these injuries are to young children under 15 years of
age.
Fireworks will injure Ten thousand Americans this year alone. Some
injuries will be to careless fireworks users, but 50 percent will
be to innocent bystanders.
As past president of the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, I am
reminded as July 4 approaches that more teenage boys will be
blinded by fireworks injuries this month than from any other
cause.
Speaking as an eye surgeon who treats these unfortunate
individuals, who are cut, bleeding, disfigured and frequently
blinded from these needless fireworks injuries, I need no further
convincing of fireworks' severe and dangerous potential for
damage. Despite our highly sophisticated surgical instruments and
even the latest procedures or lasers available today, we are often
unable to save the eyes or restore the sight of these young
children who have had fireworks explode in their faces.
As a medical advisor for the Society to Prevent Blindness, I would
like to offer some recommendations to prevent blindness:
1. Always have a responsible adult present for proper supervision.
Unfortunately, adult supervision is not sufficient unless that
person and each person is somewhat familiar with the dangers of
fireworks and the general rules of safety. The knowledgeable
adults (parents) should oversee individual use of even relatively
safe fireworks, such as sparklers. Adults should never allow
children to ignite or handle the fireworks.
2. Never experiment by taking apart fireworks or mixing more
fireworks together with other explosives. Never try to make
fireworks yourself.
3. Always light fireworks outdoors in a cleared area away from
houses, flammable materials and innocent bystanders.
4. Only light one firework at a time, and maintain a safe distance
while lighting each one.
5. Please keep a bucket of water nearby for any emergencies.
6. Dispose of all fireworks properly, and soak all malfunctioning
fireworks in water. Never try to re-ignite a bad fuse.
7. Always store your fireworks in a cool, dry place until time for
use, and avoid rough handling that may damage the fuse or handles.
8. Never ignite fireworks in a glass container, aluminum can, or
under clay pots. All of these can explode and send shrapnel that
can blind you before you can blink.
9. Always have sober, adult supervision and wear protective
eyewear.
10. Never throw sparklers into the air, wave them near a person's
eyes, or "sword fight" with them.
11. Re-read the instruction labels before igniting any product.
Almost all injuries are caused from misuse rather than product
defect.
12. In case of eye injury, do not press on the eye. Please go to
the nearest emergency room and seek immediate care or call a
medical doctor or ophthalmologist.
Fireworks can be dangerous to even the best-trained people using
the best equipment. Fireworks can be blinding or fatal is used by
people who are drunk, stupid, or inconsiderate. If you find
yourself exposed to this situation, you can ask them to stop, call
the police, or move away to a safer area. These people are
breaking the law and endangering you or your family, and you need
to protect yourself and your children.
The Fourth of July is America's birthday celebration, but let's
decide to celebrate the Fourth of July safely.
Every community puts on impressive fireworks shows, run by
licensed professionals. I recommend that everyone attend one of
these city sponsored firework displays.
Help us save sight this Fourth of July.
If fireworks are ever used at home, please follow the above
guidelines, but always remember: Fireworks are not toys!
Have a pleasant and safe Fourth of July.
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