Tuesday, July 02, 2013
Fireworks can result in severe burns, scars and disfigurement that can last a lifetime. Fireworks that are often thought to be safe, such as sparklers, can reach temperatures above 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, and can burn users and bystanders.
In 2011, an estimated 9,600 people were treated in U.S. emergency departments for fireworks injuries. In 2011, 65% of all fireworks injuries occurred during the 30 days surrounding July 4, fireworks sent about 6,200 injured people to emergency rooms. Children under the age of 15 accounted for 26 percent of the injuries.
“During the summer, fireworks become a fascination for kids of all ages. But some don’t realize how dangerous fireworks can be,” says Wendy Pomerantz, MD, emergency medicine physician and one of the leading coordinators for the Comprehensive Children’s Injury Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
“The best way to prevent injuries from fireworks is to only attend outdoor displays that are put on by qualified experts.”
Dr. Pomerantz, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission give the following tips on fireworks safety.
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center ranks third in the nation among all Honor Roll hospitals in U.S.News and World Report’s 2013 Best Children’s Hospitals ranking. It is ranked #1 for cancer and in the top 10 for nine of 10 pediatric specialties. Cincinnati Children’s is one of the top two recipients of pediatric research grants from the National Institutes of Health, and a research and teaching affiliate of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. The medical center is internationally recognized for improving child health and transforming delivery of care through fully integrated, globally recognized research, education and innovation. Additional information can be found at www.cincinnatichildrens.org. Connect on the Cincinnati Children’s blog, via Facebook and on Twitter.