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Consumers urged not to use fireworks this Independence Day

Ambulatory Safety Monitor, June 30, 2005

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An alliance of health and safety organizations are asking consumers to avoid using fireworks, including sparklers, this Fourth of July in hopes of reducing the number of severe injuries resulting from their use.

"Every year consumer fireworks injure and maim our children," said James M. Shannon, president and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), according to a statement on the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Web site.

The NFPA, along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, founded the alliance of 21 health and safety organizations three years ago.

"Consumer fireworks are a significant public safety concern shared by doctors, nurses, other health care professionals, and members of the fire service," said Shannon.

The group is asking consumers to attend public displays of fireworks instead of using even legal fireworks that are often the cause of severe burns, scars, and disfigurement.

There were 9,300 injuries reported to emergency departments caused by fireworks in 2003, an increase of 500 over 2002, with 84% of the injuries caused by fireworks federal regulations permit consumers to use. Nearly two-thirds of the injuries were burns, more than one-third of the injuries were to the head, and about 20% involved the eyes, according to the statement.

Six states currently ban any use of consumer fireworks-Arizona, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island-down from 10 states three years ago.

To view the statement, click here.

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