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By Tiffany Y. Latta, Staff Writer 4:36 PM Thursday, July 2, 2009

LIBERTY TWP. — Nearly 10,000 Americans were treated in emergency room for firework-related injuries, with 64 percent of those injuries occurring around July 4, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Dr. Wendy Pomerantz said some people don’t realize the dangers of fireworks.

“During the summer, fireworks become a fascination for kids of all ages. But some don’t realize how dangerous fireworks-even sparklers-can be,” said Dr. Pomerantz, emergency medicine physician and one of the leading coordinators for the Comprehensive Children’s Injury Center, at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Though sparklers are considered safe by many, they reach temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees, she said.

The parts of the body most often injured by fireworks are hands, eyes and legs. Other injuries often include broken bones, loss of fingers or finger injuries, head injuries and hearing loss, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Children ages 10-14 have the highest firework injury rates.  “The best way to prevent injuries from fireworks is to only attend outdoor displays that are put on by qualified experts,” Dr. Pomerantz said.  

How can you prevent these injuries?  If consumers light their own fireworks displays, Dr. Pomerantz suggests the following:

•Never allow children to play with or light fireworks, even sparklers

•Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks

•Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and grass, and other things that may catch on fire

•Never try to relight “dud” fireworks that have not fully functioned; if it does not go off, wait 15 minutes and soak the firecracker in water

•Keep water handy (a garden hose and a bucket) in case of a malfunction or a fire

•Never experiment or make your own fireworks

•Light only one firework at a time

•Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trash can (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water)

•Never light fireworks in glass or metal containers

•Never throw or point fireworks at other people, animals, or buildings that can catch on fire

•Never carry fireworks in your pocket

•Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers

•The lighter of the fireworks should always wear eye and ear protection and never have any part of the body over the fireworks

•Stay away from illegal explosives

•Use long match sticks to light the fireworks, not lighters or cigarettes

•Never shorten or lengthen the fuse

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