The bright colors and loud noises of firecrackers, bottle rockets, sparklers, and other fireworks are often irresistible to kids. But every year, adults and children alike pay a price for using them. During 2004 alone, an estimated 9,600 people capped off their personal fireworks displays with a trip to the emergency department, and about 40% of all fireworks-related injuries occurred among kids under 15 years of age. Although the number of fireworks injuries has declined significantly in recent years, both fireworks users and bystanders suffer many injuries every year, say researchers from Children's Hospital and Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Using data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), researchers examined fireworks-related injuries that occurred in kids and teens 18 and younger between 1990 and 2003. They noted the type of firework used (including firecrackers, aerial devices, Roman candles and fountains, sparklers, illegal fireworks, and homemade devices) and examined the child's age, the body part injured, and whether the child was using the firework or watching.
During this 14-year period, researchers estimated that U.S. kids were treated for 85,800 fireworks-related injuries. Although half of these occurred among fireworks users, nearly 19,100 bystanders sustained injuries to the face and eyes.
Firecrackers caused nearly 30% of all fireworks injuries, whereas sparklers and novelty devices counted for about 21% of injuries, and aerial devices caused nearly 18%. In nearly 15% of the sparkler injuries, a child was burned by stepping on a discarded sparkler, not surprising because sparklers burn at temperatures above 1,000° Fahrenheit. Burns accounted for 60% of all fireworks injuries, and the most common body parts injured were the eyes, face, and hands. Although almost all kids with fireworks injuries who visited the emergency department were released, more than 5% were admitted to the hospital for more extensive treatment. A significant percentage of those admitted to the hospital for fireworks-related injuries were bystanders.
What This Means to You. Many kids experience fireworks-related injuries every year. Even letting them watch a homemade display can put them at risk for serious injury. To play it safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other national safety organizations recommend that parents not use fireworks at home and attend professional pyrotechnics displays in public venues instead. The fireworks are bigger and louder, and professional displays greatly reduce the risk that you or your child will be hurt.
Source: Rachel J. Witsaman, BA; R. Dawn Comstock, PhD; Gary A. Smith, MD, DrPH; Pediatrics, July 2006.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: August 2006
Found it : http://www.kidshealth.org/research/fireworks_injuries.html
Using data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), researchers examined fireworks-related injuries that occurred in kids and teens 18 and younger between 1990 and 2003. They noted the type of firework used (including firecrackers, aerial devices, Roman candles and fountains, sparklers, illegal fireworks, and homemade devices) and examined the child's age, the body part injured, and whether the child was using the firework or watching.
During this 14-year period, researchers estimated that U.S. kids were treated for 85,800 fireworks-related injuries. Although half of these occurred among fireworks users, nearly 19,100 bystanders sustained injuries to the face and eyes.
Firecrackers caused nearly 30% of all fireworks injuries, whereas sparklers and novelty devices counted for about 21% of injuries, and aerial devices caused nearly 18%. In nearly 15% of the sparkler injuries, a child was burned by stepping on a discarded sparkler, not surprising because sparklers burn at temperatures above 1,000° Fahrenheit. Burns accounted for 60% of all fireworks injuries, and the most common body parts injured were the eyes, face, and hands. Although almost all kids with fireworks injuries who visited the emergency department were released, more than 5% were admitted to the hospital for more extensive treatment. A significant percentage of those admitted to the hospital for fireworks-related injuries were bystanders.
What This Means to You. Many kids experience fireworks-related injuries every year. Even letting them watch a homemade display can put them at risk for serious injury. To play it safe, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other national safety organizations recommend that parents not use fireworks at home and attend professional pyrotechnics displays in public venues instead. The fireworks are bigger and louder, and professional displays greatly reduce the risk that you or your child will be hurt.
Source: Rachel J. Witsaman, BA; R. Dawn Comstock, PhD; Gary A. Smith, MD, DrPH; Pediatrics, July 2006.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: August 2006
Found it : http://www.kidshealth.org/research/fireworks_injuries.html