FIREWORKS ALERT:
DON'T BE BLINDED BY THE DANGERS OF FIREWORKS!
"Don't be blinded by the dangers of fireworks" is the message of the
lllinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB) this Fourth of
July holiday. Please leave display fireworks to the professionals.
In the hands of amateurs, fireworks can turn a festivity into a tragedy.
According to the 2004 ISPB
lllinois Annual Fireworks Survey --compiled from data received from
the lllinois hospital emergency rooms, ophthalmologists and optometrists
--14 percent of the eye-related and bodily injuries were children under
the age of 11; 50 percent aged 11 through 20; 36 percent aged 21 through
50. The survey also showed that of those treated for fireworks injuries
71 percent
were males and 29 percent were females. Bottle rockets and firecrackers
led the list at 21 percent each, followed by sparklers, roman candles,
fountains, lady fingers, jumping jack and professional displays.
It is important to note that except for novelty
fireworks(i.e.,sparklers, snakes, trick noisemakers) fireworks are illegal
in lllinois without a permit. Illegal fireworks (i.e., cherry bombs and
M80s) in the mainstream could present substantial risks of injury
resulting in vision loss, blindness, amputations, burns and even death.
The ISPB continues to assist and support the lllinois public safety
agencies, police and fire departments, schools, libraries and park
districts in helping to educate more adults and children through videos,
brochures, announcements and posters.
The Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB) joins the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National Council on
Fireworks Safety (NCFS) and others on educating the public on fireworks
safety. Because of the risks for eye-related and bodily injuries, here are
some practical safety tips:
- Protect your eyes by wearing safety goggles.
- Keep younger children away from all fireworks; older children should
have responsible adult supervision.
- Never make or use homemade fireworks.
- Never extend any part of the body over lit fireworks.
- Keep water nearby for emergencies.
- Never relight or handle a malfunctioning firework (wait 15 to 20
minutes, soak in water and discard properly in trash cans).
- Immerse sparklers (which burn at 1800°) in
water after they appear to be burned out.
- As bystanders, stay about a quarter of a mile or more away from a
professional display, and leave pets at home.
- Observe all state and local laws.
- If eye injuries do occur, do not touch, rub or press on the injured
eye. Seek immediate care from an eye-care professional or hospital
emergency room.
James A. McKechnie, Jr., Executive Director of the Illinois Society for
the Prevention of Blindness reminds us that fireworks in Illinois, with
the exception of novelty fireworks (ie., sparklers, snakes, trick
noisemakers) are illegal. Mr. McKechnie recommends that "if you wish to
include fireworks in your festivities, please leave display fireworks to
the professionals, who are trained pyrotechnic operators. Attend local
municipal professional displays or watch them on TV. Since injuries can
occur to bystanders, keep a safe distance, wear safety glasses or safety
goggles and obey the officials and local laws."
Through widespread media publicity and by educating children and adults
of the dangers of fireworks, the ISPB, the CPSC and the NCFS hope that the
number of eye-related and bodily injuries will be reduced, not only during
this Fourth of July holiday and New Year's Eve, but throughout the year.
Remember the ISPB message: Don't be blinded by the dangers of
fireworks!"
The Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness (ISPB) was founded
in 1916 to prevent needless blindness. Dedicated to the care, protection
and preservation of sight, ISPB programs
stress education, information, eye safety and research.
2005 Fireworks Public Service
Announcement
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