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.
