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Group Seeks Fireworks Ban

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2008

While sales of fireworks at local outlets is booming, there is one group that would like to see no fireworks sold to residents for private use.

The group, Prevent Blindness America, said in a recent news release that it "supports the development and enforcement of bans on the importation, sale and use of all fireworks and sparklers, except those used in authorized public displays by competent licensed operators."

"There are no such things as safe fireworks," said Daniel D. Garrett, the organization's senior vice president. "Although there seems to be a prevailing attitude that because an accident hasn't happened before that fireworks aren't dangerous, the statistics prove the opposite to be true." Only five states ban all consumer sales: Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island, the group said.

Prevent Blindness America, based in Chicago, offers these fireworks-free ideas to celebrate Independence Day with children:

•During the day, let the kids decorate T-shirts or hats with paint and glow-in-the-dark decals. Their creations will be ready by the time the sun goes down.

•Create your own noisemakers by using bicycle horns, whistles, bells, cymbals or pots and pans.

•Glow sticks, glow ropes and glow jewelry can safely light the night for kids.

The Tampa Tribune
FIREWORKS INJURIES

In calling for a ban on consumer fireworks sales, Prevent Blindness America offers these statistics on fireworks injuries:

• There were 9,200 emergency room-treated injuries associated with all fireworks in 2006 (the latest year for which statistics are available), with about 6,400 occurring during the one-month period surrounding the July 4th holiday.

• Eyes were the second most commonly injured part of the body, with an estimated 1,500 fireworks-related eye injuries treated in the same one-month period of 2006.

• Firecrackers accounted for 1,300 injuries, sparklers accounted for 1,000 injuries, and Roman candles accounted for 700 injuries.

• Males suffered three times more injuries than females.

• 2,300 of the injuries were to children under age 15.

• For children under the age of 5, a third of the total injuries were from sparklers, which can burn up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.

• An average of 400 Americans permanently lose vision in one or both eyes due to fireworks injuries annually.

EYE INJURY TIPS

If an accident does occur, here are steps to minimize the damage

• Do not rub the eye. This may increase bleeding or make the injury worse.

• Do not rinse out the eye. This can be more damaging than rubbing.

• Do not apply pressure to the eye. Try to prevent further contact with it.

• Do not stop for medicine. Over-the-counter pain relievers won't do much. Take the injured person to the emergency room at once.

• Do not apply ointment. It may not be sterile and makes the area around the eye slippery and harder for the doctor to examine.

Source: Prevent Blindness America

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