Avoid blindness by avoiding fireworks

STROUDSBURG — Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness; many Americans celebrate them on July 4th with food, fun and fireworks. However, no matter what type of fireworks, they are all extremely dangerous. Fireworks are beautiful at a public display, but they can be ugly when handled by consumers and even by trained professionals. Visual Impairment & Blindness Services (VIABL Services) of Monroe County wants you to be aware that every year, the use of fireworks results in injury, blindness and, sometimes death. According to the U.S. consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2006 (the latest data available), 9,200 people were treated in emergency rooms across the country due to accidents caused by fireworks devices. An estimated 6,400 injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms during the one-month period, June 16-July 16, surrounding the Fourth of July. Eyes were the second most commonly injured part of the body, with an estimated 1,500 fireworks-related eye injuries treated in the same one-month period of 2006. Sadly, many of those injured are children. In fact, 36 percent of all fireworks injuries were to those aged 15 and younger. Firecrackers were associated with the greatest number of estimated injuries at 1,300. There were 1,000 sparkler injuries and 800 rocket injuries. Sparklers accounted for one-third of the injuries to children less than 5 years of age. Sparklers are a silent danger Sparklers do not blow up and they do not shoot through the air. They are hot. A typical sparkler can burn at temperatures up to 1,800 degrees. At this temperature, even gold melts so imagine the close range effects on your child’s skin and eyes. The popular bottle rocket is dangerous for two reasons. First, the rate of travel of a standard bottle rocket can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Second, bottle rockets are susceptible to ricochet and can end up traveling in any direction except the intended one. In 2006, an 11-year old boy was struck in the eye by a bottle rocket traveling horizontally. He has permanent vision loss. The Pennsylvania Fireworks Law prohibits the use of fireworks by individuals and the sale of fireworks (to Pa. residents), except sparklers, containing any explosive substance. Firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, cherry bombs and other fireworks of like construction pose a serious threat to eyesight. The enforcement of local, state and federal fireworks laws is extremely difficult so it’s up to parents to protect their children’s safety. Please do not purchase or allow your children to purchase fireworks.