TimesLeader.com

July 2
Mailbag

Dear Editor,

Many Americans celebrate July 4 with food, fun and fireworks. However, no matter what type of fireworks, they are all dangerous. Fireworks are beautiful at a public display, but they can be ugly when handled by consumers and even by trained professionals.

The Lackawanna Branch - Pennsylvania Association for the Blind wants you to be aware that every year, the use of fireworks results in injury, blindness and sometimes death. According to the U.S. consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2006 (the latest data available), 9,200 people were treated in emergency rooms across the country due to accidents caused by fireworks devices.

An estimated 6,400 injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms during the one-month period (June 16-July 16) surrounding the Fourth of July. Eyes were the second most commonly injured part of the body, with an estimated 1,500 fireworks-related eye injuries treated in the same one-month period of 2006.

Sadly, many of those injured are children. In fact, 36 percent of all fireworks injuries were to those 15 and younger. Firecrackers were associated with the greatest number of estimated injuries at 1,300. There were 1,000 sparkler injuries and 800 rocket injuries. Sparklers accounted for one-third of the injuries to children less than 5 years of age.

Sparklers are a silent danger. They do not blow up and they do not shoot through the air. What they do have is heat. A typical sparkler can burn at temperatures up to 1,800 degrees. At this temperature, even gold melts, so imagine the close range effects on your child’s skin and eyes. The popular bottle rocket is dangerous for two reasons. First, the rate of travel of a standard bottle rocket can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Second, bottle rockets are susceptible to ricochet and can end up traveling in any direction except the intended one. In 2006, an 11-year old boy was struck in the eye by a bottle rocket traveling horizontally. He has permanent vision loss.

The Pennsylvania Fireworks Law prohibits the use of fireworks by individuals and the sale of fireworks, except sparklers, containing any explosive substance. Fire crackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, cherry bombs and other fireworks of like construction pose a serious threat to eyesight.

Currently only five states ban the use of all fireworks for private use (Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island); six states allow sparklers and/or novelties; and 39 states and the District of Columbia allow consumer fireworks as approved by an enforcing authority.

The enforcement of local, state and federal fireworks laws is extremely difficult, so it’s up to parents to protect their children’s safety. The Lackawanna Branch - Pennsylvania Association for the Blind urges all Pennsylvanians to obey the Fireworks Law. Please do not purchase or allow your children to purchase fireworks. For a safe and happy holiday, attend one of the many supervised public fireworks displays which will be conducted this year.

Mary Lou Wascavage

PA Association for the Blind, Lackawanna Branch