How to Avoid Fireworks Injuries to the Fingers & Hands
Fireworks are part-and-parcel of celebrating American independence on the 4th of July. It’s a tradition that’s as American as Mom and apple pie! But amateur fireworks use can be a dangerous business – resulting in loss of limbs, eyesight and even life every year.
While its best to leave the fireworks displays to the professionals – if you must include them in your fourth of July celebrations, there are some important precautions you need to take.
Fireworks Injury Statistics
According to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Michiganders spend almost two million dollars per year on fireworks.
Amateur detonated fireworks resulted in an estimated 10,000 injuries treated in emergency rooms – including 12 fatalities – across the U.S. in 2019. The estimated rate of fireworks-related ER visits in the United States is an astounding 3.1 per every 100,000 individuals, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSD) 2020 Annual Fireworks Report.
According to that report, the body parts most often injured were hands and fingers accounting for 30% of fireworks injuries – with 10% of injuries affecting the arms. Burns were the most common injury to hands, fingers, and arms -representing 58% percent of ER-treated fireworks injuries.
Eye injuries accounted for an estimated 15 percent of fireworks injuries, with head, face, and ears comprising another estimated 15%.
Fireworks Injury Hits Close to Home
In 2016, Dave Rexroth, the chief meteorologist at Channel 7 WXYZ-TV in Detroit was celebrating the 4th of July with his family. When a box of fireworks didn’t go off, he went to check on it, and it tragically detonated in his face. Tragically, Mr. Rexroth lost his left eye and now must wear a prosthetic eyeball.
Children & Fireworks Injuries
Many 4th of July injuries happen because young children handle fireworks that people think are less powerful and “safe” – such as sparklers. But sparklers actually burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which can melt some metals and leave 3rd degree burns.
Also, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSD) 2020 Annual Fireworks Report Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 36 percent of the fireworks-related injuries – with almost half of the ER-treated fireworks injuries to persons younger than 20 years old.
That report also noted that children under 5 years of age experienced an estimated 1,100 injuries (14 percent of all fireworks-related injuries) – while kids 5 to 14 years old experienced an estimated 1,600 fireworks injuries in 2019 alone.
Preventing Fireworks Injury
To help prevent fireworks injuries:
- Only light fireworks one at a time, then move away from them quickly.
- Do not throw fireworks.
- Do not shoot fireworks out of a metal or glass container.
- After fireworks are done burning, douse them with plenty of water before handling or discarding.
- Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
- Parents should not allow young children to handle, use or be in the vicinity of detonated fireworks.
- Teens should only handle fireworks under the close supervision of adults.
- Never use homemade fireworks.
- Taking precautions beforehand, when grilling or enjoying fireworks, will help you enjoy this summer holiday while keeping yourself and your loved ones safe!
Southeast Michigan Hand Specialist
If you are suffered an injury to your fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. As with any injury early intervention and treatment is the most effective way to prevent complications or long-term damage to the hands or limbs.
Then, as soon as your injury has been treated and assessed at an ER or urgent care, it is important to schedule an appointment with a specialist, like board certified hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman – and her team of certified hand therapists.
We can provide the specialized treatments and therapies that will minimize any long-term effects of the injury, and restore function and mobility to the hand and limb as effectively and rapidly as possible.
