Focus on Fire Safety: Fire Works

Mehlville Fire Protection District
For Americans, Fourth of July celebrations usually signify summer fun, vacations and the gathering of family and friends.  Independence Day can also bring tragedy.  In a typical year, more fire agencies in St. Louis County will respond to fires and accidental injuries from fireworks on July 4th than any other day and fire works will account for half of those fires.  Sparklers, firecrackers and rockets are the leading contributions to these injuries.  Because most fire works injuries are preventable, it should be noted that the use of fireworks in St. Louis County is prohibited.  The following will define who is at the highest risk and what can be done to prevent injuries over the 4th of July holiday.

WHO IS AT RISK?
In 2007, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,800 people for fireworks related injuries.

• 56% of the fireworks injuries, seen in the emergency room, in 2007 were to the extremities and 36% were to the head;
• 49% of the 2007 fireworks injuries were burns, while 29% were contusions and lacerations;
• Two of five people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15;
• The risk of fireworks injuries was two and a half times as high for children ages five to 14 as for the general population;
• Sparklers, fountains and novelties alone accounted for 56% of the emergency room fireworks injuries in 2007.

 HOW AND WHY DO THESE INJURIES OCCUR?
Availability:  In spite of St. Louis County regulations prohibiting the use of fireworks, the sale of fireworks in other counties in the State of Missouri is legal.

Fireworks Types:  Among the various types of fireworks, some of which are sold legally in some Missouri Counties and other states, bottle rockets can fly into an individual's face and cause eye injuries.  They can also land on roofs of houses and cause structure fires.  Sparklers can ignite clothing (sparklers burn at more then 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit).  Firecrackers can injure the hands or face if they explode at close range. 

Being to Close:  Injuries may result from being to close to fireworks when they explode.  (For example: when someone leans over to look closely at a firework that has been ignited or when a misguided bottle rocket hits a nearby person.)

Curiosity:  Children are often excited and curious around fireworks which can increase their chances of being injured (for example: when they re-examine a fire cracker dud that initially fails to ignite).

Experimentation:  Homemade fireworks (for example: ones made of powder from several firecrackers) can lead to dangerous and unpredictable explosions.  These fireworks are also illegal in St. Louis County.

WHAT CAN I DO?
The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home.  Remember, they are illegal in St. Louis County.  Attend public fireworks displays and leave lighting the fireworks to the professionals.  Kids should never play with fireworks.   Sparklers can reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit; hot enough to melt gold.  If others are shooting fireworks illegally, instruct your family members to stay away and explain that they are illegal in St. Louis County and the inherent dangers that fireworks can cause.  Take your family to a public fireworks display.  During the public displays and when fireworks are being shot off in the area, keep your pets indoors.   The noise can injure their ears and can be very stressful to animals.

This information was compiled from the United States Fire Administration and Chief Jim Silvernail from the Mehlville Fire Protection District.