June 15, 2001

WHAT:

The Fourth of July is prime fireworks season. According to the United States Eye Injury Registry, 12,000 people are treated in emergency departments for fireworks injuries every year. Eighty percent of eye injuries from fireworks happen during the July 4th holiday and bystanders are more likely to be injured than those operating fireworks. Almost half of those injured are children or teens.

UAB’s Department of Ophthalmology and the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital at UAB recommend leaving fireworks to the professionals this holiday weekend and avoid using fireworks at home. But if you must use fireworks yourself, follow these safety procedures to avoid injury, burns or blindness.

WHO:

Dr. Martin Cogen, UAB pediatric ophthalmologist, and Drs. Luke White and John Mason, retinal surgeons at the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital at UAB, are available for interviews on fireworks safety. Dr. Doug Witherspoon, UAB ophthalmologist, is executive vice president of the United States Eye Injury Registry.

• Always have an adult present.
  
  
• Never allow young children to play with fireworks, even sparklers. Sparklers can reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt gold.
  
  
• Never try to re-light fireworks that did not explode or ignite the first time.
  
  
• Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher present in case of fire.
  
  
• Light fireworks on a clean, flat surface away from the house or flammable materials.
  
  
• Read and follow all manufacturer's warnings and instructions.
  
  
• If there are no instructions or product labels, the item may have been made illegally and could be unsafe. Illegal fireworks, which are made without the quality control standards of legal products, are extremely unpredictable.
  
  
• In the event of eye injury, do not touch, rub or press on the injured eye. Seek immediate care from an ophthalmologist or hospital emergency room.
  
  
• Always light only one item at a time.
  
  
• Never throw fireworks at another person.
  
  
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
  
  
• Never shoot fireworks from metal or glass containers.
  
  
• Never experiment, modify, or attempt to make your own fireworks.