Posted: 7/1/2019
There are no safe fireworks, Parkland Burn Center staff caution
Summer is synonymous with pool parties, backyard barbecues, family gatherings and fireworks. But if you’re not careful the festivities can quickly turn to emergency room visits.
In 2017, the last year figures are available, at least eight people died and about 12,900 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. And while the majority of these incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, thousands were from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers.
Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and 16,900 outside and other fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries and an average of $43 million in direct property damage.
In the last five years, 40 patients were hospitalized in Parkland Health & Hospital System’s Burn Center due to burn injuries sustained from fireworks. A few were young children who were accidentally struck by a firework when an adult lost control or it went off unexpectedly. Some of the injuries were severe enough to require hospitalization, skin grafting and rehabilitation.
“Burns from fireworks usually involve the hands, face, arms and chest areas,” said Stephanie Campbell, RN, MS, CCRN-K, Burn Program Manager at Parkland’s Regional Burn Center. “Fireworks can be dangerous and it’s important everyone remember that they can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries.”
And even though they don’t appear to be as dangerous as fireworks that light the night sky, sparklers burn hot enough (1200 degrees Fahrenheit) to cause third-degree burns. In comparison, water boils at 212 degrees F., cakes bake at 350 degrees F. and glass melts at 900 degrees F.
“People don’t realize how hot sparklers can get and how dangerous they can be for children, even with supervision,” Campbell said. “It only takes a second to drop a sparkler on a foot or brush it up against someone’s clothing. Parents often tell us that even though they were with the child, it happened too quickly to prevent the burn from occurring.”
If fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you choose to use them, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the NFPA recommend the following safety tips:
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Never allow young children to handle fireworks
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
• Never light them indoors
• Only use them 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 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
If a burn injury does happen, cool the burn with cool (not cold) water to stop the burning process, remove all clothing and jewelry from the injured area, cover the area with a dry clean sheet or loose bandages and seek medical attention, Campbell said.
“The bottom line is fireworks can cause life-changing injuries,” Campbell added. “If you want to see a fireworks display, get with your family and friends, find a nice place to spread your blanket and sit back and leave the show to the pros.”
Established in 1962, the Parkland Burn Center provides care to more than 1,800 patients annually. Serving North Texas and surrounding areas, this comprehensive burn center is one of only 73 verified burn centers in North America and the only one in North Texas, and provides all services from emergency treatment to intensive care to rehabilitation and outpatient follow-up care.
For more information on services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhospital.com