Even Innocent Sparkler Causes Thousands of Eye Injuries
Fireworks injuries cause approximately 10,000 visits to the emergency department each year, most of them involve children who suffer thousands of eye injuries.1
Every year, ophthalmologists – physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care – treat thousands of patients who suffer a range of fireworks-related injuries, from cuts and bruises to damaged corneas and ruptured eyeballs. To help reduce the number of potentially blinding accidents this holiday, Kleinsorge Family Eye Care joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in working to debunk common myths about fireworks injuries.
Here are five fireworks myths, debunked:
- Sparklers are safe for young children. How hot to sparklers get? They burn at 1800 degrees, hot enough to melt some metals. These “safe” sparklers were responsible for most of the injuries to children age 5 and younger.1
- It’s safer to view fireworks than it is to light or throw them. Did you know that bystanders are injured by fireworks as often as the operators?2 We have the unfortunate story of Stacy Young was 100 yards away when an illegal firework sent shrapnel into her skull. Ophthalmologists couldn’t save her eye. It had to be removed.
- Consumer fireworks are safe. Sparklers and firecrackers each account for 1,400 injuries to the eyes1
- It’s safe to pick up a firework after it has been lit. Even though it looks like a dud, it may not act like one. When Javonte McNair, 14, picked up a previously lit firework, it exploded, severing his hand and blasting hot debris into his eye, causing severe damage to his cornea.
- It’s not the Fourth of July without consumer fireworks. The Fourth can be complete without using consumer fireworks. The Academy advises that the safest way to view fireworks is to watch a professional show.
If you experience a fireworks injury
If your injured by fireworks, ophthalmologists urge you to minimize the damage to the eye. All of these type of injuries require immediate professional medical attention. Remember DO NOT:
- Rub the eye. Rubbing may make the injury worse.
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Attempt to rinse the eye.
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Apply pressure to the eye.
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Remove objects from the eye,
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Apply ointments or take pain medications before seeking medical help.
To help ensure people get the facts about fireworks, the Academy also created an animated public service announcement titled “Fireworks: The Blinding Truth”. It encourages the public and media to view and share the public service announcement. Visit the Academy’s EyeSmart® website for more information about fireworks eye safety.
[1] https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/pdfs/Fireworks_Report_2014.pdf
