Fourth of July celebrations are here… along with fireworks-related emergencies.
In 2020, an estimated 15,600 people were hospitalized with injuries related to fireworks. This is the highest number in the last 15 years, as reported by The Consumer Product Safety Commission. 66% of the injuries happened between June 21, 2020 and July 21, 2020.
Fireworks handled incorrectly can be fatal. 12 out of 18 deaths reported in 2020 were related to misuse. One death was due to an electric malfunction, and five because of unknown circumstances, according to The Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Speaking of firework related injuries, 17 people were injured after a bunch of homemade fireworks exploded in Los Angeles. The blast flipped and damaged cars, smashed windows and sent six citizens to the emergency room.
Before you go lighting fireworks for this year’s Fourth of July celebration take a look at the most common injuries so you can avoid some of these very costly mistakes.
Hands and fingers
Injuries to hands and fingers were most commonly treated for firework related incidents at emergency departments in 2020. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that there were 3,100 injuries from June 21, 2020 to July 21, 2020.
Two thousand of the injuries were burns, while 400 were reported fractures and sprains. NFL linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul became an advocate for safety after a first hand experience almost blowing his right hand off during a firework accident in 2015.
Head, ear and face
Following hands and fingers the head, face and ear region was the second highest common injury related to fireworks between the same months.
Of the 2,300 estimated injuries to that region, 900 were contusions or lacerations, 500 were burns, 200 were fractures and sprains. This is again according to the The Consumer Product Safety Commission
A 47year old died from blunt-force trauma to the head when a large mortar fireworks shell he was holding to his head exploded in 2015.
Eyes
Eyes were the third most common injury treated at the hospital involving fireworks. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated 1,500 eye injuries with 500 of them diagnosed as contusions or lacerations. Along with two hundred reported eye injuries being burns, 700 were other diagnoses.
Legs, arms and trunk
Legs and arms made a combined total of 25% of injuries treated at emergency rooms due to fireworks from June 21, 2020 to July 21, 2020.
The majority of the injuries were burns and contusions or lacerations. 300 arm injuries were diagnosed as fractures or sprains and 400 leg injuries had other diagnoses.
The torso or other body regions made up the least treated firework injuries with 800 reported, according to The Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In 2016, a 15-year-old had his leg amputated after fashioning 180 sparklers wrapped tightly with electrical tape in Texas.
Firework safety tips
If you do choose to use legal fireworks, here are some safety tips from the National Security Council:
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks, and older children should use them only under close adult supervision
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
- Never hold lit fireworks in your hands
- Never light them indoors
- Only use them when away from people, houses and flammable material
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
- Never ignite devices in a container
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
- Soak both used and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
Keeping our four legged friends safe during the fourth of July festivities is also important. But before you can help your dog you need to understand why your dog gets upset by firework displays.
A dog’s potential fear of fireworks is due, in large part, to the sound. A dog’s ears are significantly more sensitive than a human’s, so the booms of fireworks can be downright painful. What’s more, dogs can’t comprehend why or how this racket is repeatedly happening at random intervals.
Experts say for some dogs it is much worse than others. It can be so bad that some dogs are diagnosed with noise phobia, noise sensitivity and generalized anxiety disorder. Experts say another reason why your dog may be having anxiety is if it is a puppy and is experiencing the noises for the first time and the same goes for adult dogs.
What can you do to help your dog? Experts say there are a few things you can try.
The first method is fairly simple. Don’t expose your pet to fireworks, the crowds, noise and smells that go along with them in the first place.
But that of course is sometimes easier said than done. You may live near where your neighbors like to light bottle rockets all day on the Fourth for example. In this case you’ll want to make a “sound bunker” for your dog
An ideal doggy sound bunker is a room in your house that’s as far from the commotion as possible, like a basement, laundry room or bathroom with blackout window shades. In addition to that, carpeting, pillows and blankets in front of windows can act as a good noise buffer.
The other suggestion experts make is to invest in something like a Thundershirt. A thundershirt is a vest that applies gentle pressure to a dog’s chest to relieve anxiety. This may work for some dogs and their owners.
The final suggestion experts say is simply to talk to your vet for what they recommend or potential medications you can give your dog.
