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FIREWORKS — DANGER, DANGER, DANGER!During 1999 everyone had reason to celebrate two major events in our history: Independence Day and the beginning of the new Millennium. From these celebrations came the inevitable truth that fireworks still caused too many eye and bodily injuries. Did you hear about the little girl who lost her hand by playing with an M-80 at home? Such a tragedy! — It shouldn’t have happened! The ISPB continued to spread our words of safety through the media, all Illinois public libraries and the Illinois parks and recreation facilities. We also continued to assist in the “Operation Prevent Injury” coalition program, which emphasizes the importance of fireworks safety including the transport of illegal fireworks from Indiana to Illinois. Illinois Annual Surveys (1999)
The ISPB conducted its 1999 Illinois Annual Fireworks Survey by contacting hospital emergency rooms, ophthalmologists and optometrists throughout the State. The results revealed that 52 percent of the eye-related injuries were children and young adults under the age of 20 (down from 1998 with 68 percent). The breakdown is as follows:
The survey also showed that 97 percent of those treated for fireworks eye injuries were males with 3 percent, females. Bottle rockets led the list for the most eye-related injuries (49 percent), followed by public display injuries (18 percent) and firecrackers (11 percent). Other types of fireworks eye injuries reported included M-80’s, sparklers and roman candles. All reported caused varying degrees of eye and facial injuries, including acute traumatic uveitis and acute hyphema, corneal abrasions, lacerations, corneal and eyelid burns, orbital contusions, to name just a few. The Office of the State Fire Marshal conducted its 1999 survey by contacting 185 hospitals within the State. Its results show that injuries to males were 67 percent compared to females at 33 percent. Many individuals were injured by unspecified fireworks, fireworks lit by other people and children having fireworks their parents were not aware they had. Sparklers claimed 16 percent of last year’s injuries. One notable statistic indicated that fingers and eyes were tied for the largest number of injuries, reporting 17 percent each. Burns, as in 1998, were the leading type of injury at 56 percent.
The Visionary , published as a service of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness,is available upon request. The information contained in this issue, taken from sources considered to be accurate, does not replace the need for professional eye care consultations and treatments.
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