Firework Safety

Make your July 4th safe

According to PREVENT BLINDNESS AMERICA, nearly 13,000 fireworks victims keep hospitals busy every year. More than half of those injured are children. Fireworks not only injure users, but also 40 percent of fireworks mishaps injure bystanders.

The three types of fireworks that keep hospital emergency rooms busy during this holiday period are bottle rockets, firecrackers, and sparklers. Bottle rockets and firecrackers can fly in any direction prior to exploding and sparklers burn at temperatures hot enough to melt gold.

One of the reasons fireworks injuries continue to occur is because people just don't consider how dangerous these devices can be. People often don't realize - until they are injured - that the risk of blindness or injury outweighs the excitement of taking risks with fireworks. And giving fireworks to young children can mean a trip to the hospital emergency room.

Do you know your firework safety?

Take the test below and find out. Choose from either True or False. Click to see the Answer.

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1. Fireworks injuries can only occur during the Fourth of July - Answer

2. Sparklers are safe fireworks and can be given to children - Answer

3. Gunpowder is a major ingredient in most types of fireworks - Answer

4. Only people who are careless or unsupervised are injured from fireworks - Answer

5. Only people who set off fireworks risk injuries - Answer

6. Males are more likely to get hurt from fireworks - Answer

7. Bottle rockets are not dangerous because they're just firecrackers tied to a stick - Answer

8. Homemade fireworks are safer than store bought fireworks - Answer

9. Using fireworks is an inexpensive way to celebrate the Fourth of July - Answer

10. My state bans fireworks - Answer

Permission to reprint granted by Jeffrey G. Strauss, M.D, courtesy of Straus Eye Center and Prevent Blindness America.
3434 Houma Blvd.
Suite 300
New Orleans, LA 70006
(504)888-7100

About the Author:Dr. Jeffrey G. Strauss served his fellowship in cataract surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, & Throat Hospital and completed his residency in opthalmology at Ochsner Foundation Hospital and Clinic. Dr. Strauss received his M.D. degree from the state university of New York with honors in opthalmology, family medicine, psychiatry, and biochemistry