Children and their families should be counseled to attend public fireworks displays rather than purchase fireworks for home use.
So skip buying fireworks that you would plan to use at home, and the biggest risk for injuries from fireworks, and instead take your family to see a public fireworks show this year.
FIREWORKS SAFETY AND CHILD SAFETY BASICS
Fireworks are a summer tradition for many families.
Unfortunately, injuries from fireworks are another tradition that often seems to follow when kids are allowed to play with fireworks.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that
• 4 people died in 2005 associated with using fireworks
• over 10,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries associated with fireworks in 2005
• most injuries from fireworks occur in the few weeks around July 4th
• almost half of the injuries were to children under age 15
• firecrackers caused the most injuries, followed by rockets and sparklers
• burns are the most common injuries from fireworks
Are Sparklers Safe?
Parents who understand that firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles, etc. can cause injuries, often let their younger kids play with sparklers because they think they are safe.
Sparklers, which can reach over 1000°F, cause half of the injuries to children under age five though, and 10 percent of fireworks-related injuries overall.
So even sparklers should be avoided.
Fireworks Injuries
Many parents feel that playing fireworks is a rite of passage for kids, that they will supervise their children, and they can play with fireworks safely. If you review some of these real life reports of injuries from the CPSC you will see how, like other accidents, injuries from fireworks can't always be avoided unless you simply avoid playing with fireworks:
• A 5-month-old male was struck in the forehead by an aerial shell that was launched sideways.
• The brother of an 11-year-old male victim lit a fountain firework that ignited other fountain fireworks. One went into the victim's tennis shoe resulting in burns to his foot.
• A 12-year-old male victim struck in the eye by a rocket that had been launched by one of his friends, resulting in eye surgery.
• A 4-year-old female was hit in the face by an aerial shell that tipped over and traveled horizontally instead of going into the air, seriously burning her face.
• A 4-year-old male victim's father was lighting multiple aerial shell type devices. When one tipped over, it broke into pieces and then exploded. One piece hit the victim on his thigh, resulting in first degree burns.
• A 14-year-old male victim was holding a bottle rocket in each hand. When he lit the rocket in his right hand, the other rocket also ignited, giving him third degree burns on his hand.
• An 8-year-old male picked up a ground popper that had been thrown on the ground. It then exploded, lodging particles in his eye.
• A 12-year-old male found a fountain type fireworks in the woods. He lit it and it exploded, immediately causing first degree burns to his face.
• A 5-year-old male was injured while watching fireworks launched by his neighbor. Some debris from the fireworks got in his eye.
• When people were lighting fountain type fireworks, a spark flew about 25 yards into another box of fireworks. The box exploded, showering sparks on the 5-year-old male victim and causing burns to his arm and chest.
• When somebody threw a ground popper on a sawdust-covered floor, the explosion threw up some sawdust which got into the 7-year-old female victim's eye.
• A 6-year-old male victim was trying to break open a firecracker. The device exploded when he hit it with a rock, resulting in burns to both arms.
• A 12-year-old male victim and a friend unwrapped an aerial shell type firework. They emptied the powder on the ground. Then they lit the powder, which flashed and burned the victim's face. An 11-year-old victim and his friends put drain cleaner in a plastic bottle, then put a small firecracker on top of the bottle. The victim then lit the firecracker, which exploded, burning his fingers
HOW TO PREPARE AND LIGHT A HOME FIREWORKS DISPLAY
The Consumer Products Safety Commission gives these fireworks safety guidelines for home use:
• Never allow children to play with fireworks
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Keep a bucket of water in case of a malfunction or fire.
Now to apply the CPSC guidelines for fireworks safety:
Here's How:
1. Line up the home fireworks display with a viewing area on one side only. Don't watch from all sides; it's too hard to keep an eye on all participants if the display is surrounded.
2. Keep the fireworks sitting on a hard flat surface with nothing flammable around. Dry leaves and foilage are especially dangerous. Look at the plants and grass - if it's yellow and dead, that is not a good place to be setting off fireworks. Concrete or a well-watered, green lawn is the best. Using lawn will keep burn marks off the concrete.
3. Keep a bucket handy. Fill it about 2/3 full with water and use to soak used fireworks and duds.
4. Keep a hose with a shut-off nozzle nearby. The water should be on and the hose should be ready to instantly douse any wayward fires.
5. To make a flat surface on lawn, place a wide piece of lumber across the grass. Soak the lumber with water before placing the fireworks.
6. Place the fireworks about 6 inches apart along the board in the order they will be lit.
7. Only one person should light the display. That person should not be drinking alcohol before or during the show and should be at least 14 years old.
8. Only light one firework at a time.
9. If a firework doesn't light, or doesn't work after the fuse burns all the way down, it's called a dud. Wait at least 20 minutes after lighting the fuse and then place the dud into the bucket of water.
10. Wait until each firework is finished before lighting the next.
11. Sparklers should only be handled by kids older than 12.
12. Make sure that people with lit sparklers stay at least 10 feet apart.
13. Put all used sparklers in the water bucket.
14. After all the fireworks have been lit and all used fireworks and duds have soaked for at least 10 minutes, discard the fireworks in an outside trashcan.
15. In case of burns during the use of fireworks, follow the tips for How to Treat a Burn.
Tips:
1. Never smoke around fireworks!
2. Do not light fireworks on windy days.
3. Wear cotton clothing to light fireworks. Synthetic fibers tend to melt onto skin, while cotton does not burn easily.
4. Use a long-tipped lighter for lighting fireworks to keep hands and faces away from fuses.
What You Need:
• Five gallon bucket filled 2/3 full with water
• Concrete or well-watered lawn at least 15 feet by 10 feet
• Five feet or longer piece of lumber at least six inches wide
• Viewing area at least 15 feet from the display
• Garden hose with shut-off nozzle
• Legal fireworks
TREAT A BURN
Burns destroy skin, which controls the amount of heat our bodies retain or release, holds in fluids, and protects us from infection. While burns on fingers and hands are usually not dangerous, burns injuring even relatively small areas of skin can develop serious complications. If you think a burn of any type is significant, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately.
Here are the first aid steps for treating a burn.1. STAY SAFE! Do not let the rescuer get burned trying to save the victim. Follow universal precautions and wear personal protective equipment if you have it.
2. Treating a burn begins with stopping the burning process. Cool the burned area with cool running water for several minutes.
If an ambulance is coming, continue running water over the burned area until the ambulance arrives.
3. Look for blistering, sloughing, or charred (blackened) skin.
Blistering or sloughing (skin coming off) means the top layer of skin is completely damaged and complications are likely. Charring indicates even deeper damage to all three layers of skin (see illustration).
If the damaged area is bigger than one entire arm or the whole abdomen, call 911 or take the victim to the emergency department immediately.
4. Victims with burns to the following areas need emergency medical assistance (call 911):
• face
• hands
• feet
• genitalia
5. Mild burns with reddened skin and no blisters may be treated with a topical burn ointment or spray to reduce pain.
Cool water (not cold or warm) may also help with pain.
DO NOT APPLY BUTTER OR OIL TO ANY BURN!
6. Over the counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be used for the pain of a mild burn (typically redness only). If stronger pain relief is needed, contact a physician or go to the emergency department.
Tips:
1. Burns cause swelling. Burns of the face and neck can sometimes swell enough to cause difficulty breathing (see illustration). If that happens, call 911 immediately.
2. Burns that completely circle the hands or feet may cause such severe swelling that blood flow is restricted. If swollen or tight hands and feet become numb and tingly, blue, cold, or "fall asleep," then call 911 immediately.
3. While the burn is healing, wear loose natural clothing like silks or light cottons. Harsher fabrics will irritate the skin even more.
4. Burns destroy skin and the loss of skin can lead to infection, dehydration and hypothermia (loss of body heat).
Make sure that burn victims get emergency medical help if experiencing any of the following:
• dizziness or confusion
• weakness
• fever or chills
• shivering
• cold sweats
PETS AND FIREWORKS
Fireworks Safety and Loud Noise Phobias
As many pet owners know, fireworks and thunder storms can cause a great deal of stress for some animals. Commonly seen signs include:
• Shaking, trembling
• Excessive drooling
• Barking, howling
• Trying to hide or get into / out of the house, fence, or other enclosure
• Refusing to eat food
• Some animals may loose bladder or bowel control or experience temporary diarrhea from prolonged stress.
Please note: The signs mentioned above are general signs, and could be indicative of many different diseases or conditions. Please consult with your veterinarian if these signs persist after fireworks or thunder has subsided, or if you suspect that your pet may have been poisoned or is otherwise ill.
PRACTICE SAFETY
• Keep pets indoors. It is advisable to close the curtains and turn on the TV or radio to provide some distraction. Calming or classical music are better than some TV or radio noise choices.
Therapeutic music such as Through A Dog's Ear often work better at keeping your dog calm and providing an audio distraction.
Many times pets will seek out a small den-like place (such as a crate), if they are fearful or stressed. If you do not already have a crate, bed or similar place that your pet can call his "own", it is recommended to create that safe place and familiarize your pet with it as a means of reducing stress during fireworks and thunderstorms.
• Use a leash or carrier. If you must be outside with your pet, keep the pet on a leash or in carrier at all times.
• Practice fire safety. Keep pet away from matches, open fires, and fireworks - especially ones that are lighted on the ground. Pets may try to sniff (or eat) fireworks, and pet hair can easily catch fire if too close to the fireworks.
• Take pet for a walk first. If possible, make sure that your pet has time to "use the restroom" before the fireworks start. Some pets are too frightened to void once the fireworks begin, and this may lead to an "accident" later on.
• Make sure pet ID is current. Make sure that your pet has proper identification tags, with current information, in case s/he gets away. This will help the local authorities (who are quite busy this time of year handling frightened runaways).
What can I do if my pet is frightened of fireworks and thunder?Some animals do fine and don't seem to notice the fireworks. Some do well with just having their owner near, talking in a soothing voice and petting or holding the pet. And then there are some pets that cannot be calmed by petting or talking to them - they are simply too upset.
Animals that are frightened/stressed can hurt themselves and possibly escape if left alone, and the results can be fatal. Frightened animals running loose are in great danger of being hit by a car.
For these animals, it is best to provide a safe place, such as a carrier, to be in while the fireworks last. This alone may be enough of a comfort to soothe some pets. If the carrier is not enough to calm the animal, medication (in the form of a tranquilizer) may be warranted. Tranquilizers are not for every pet. Talk to your vet about medical options that are suitable for your dog or cat.
A patient-doctor relationship is needed before dispensing medications, so if your pet hasn't seen the vet yet, an appointment will need to be made to examine the animal to ensure that there aren't any underlying heart or other problems, and base any medications on current weight.
To help your pet become accustomed to thunder and other loud noises, you can try some behavior modification. This technique involves playing a recording of thunder at very low levels. Use the time to reassure your pet that everything is fine. Gradually increase the volume slowly over time, as your pet is able to handle the sounds without getting stressed.
Many stores carry "relaxation" types of music, and I have seen several rain/thunderstorm CDs available. This technique does require time and patience for it to be effective. Start slow, and do short sessions only at first. Praising the pet for remaining calm is important. Be careful not to overdo praising, you want the pet to feel that this is "situation normal" as much as possible.
On a related (summer) note ...
Please do not leave pets in cars at any time! Even if you are in the shade! Even with the windows open! Even if it is only 75 F degrees outside! Cars heat up amazingly fast, and add to that an animal that is excited or anxious at your departure, and heat stroke is a definite possibility.
