Newswise — July 4th and Labor Day -- many revelers will follow safety guidelines for consumer use of fireworks; e.g., always keep a bucket of water or hose nearby; alcohol and fireworks don't mix; etc. But alarming statistics belie the efficacy of the guidelines: in 2005, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 10,800 people for fireworks related injuries, and fireworks approved by Federal regulations for consumer use caused 95% of those injuries. In 2004, an estimated $21 million in direct property damage was caused by fireworks. (Source: NFPA.) Which begs the question: how can an activity that involves the ignition of explosives by amateurs -- many of whom are children -- be safe?
The risks to life, limb, and property, are clear. The Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, a group of 22 health and safety organizations coordinated by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), urges the public to avoid the use of fireworks.
"Every year during the summer holidays, we hear of tragedies in which people have lost a limb or lost their vision as a result of a fireworks accident. There are also countless cases where homes and other personal property have been destroyed. Very simply stated, leave fireworks to the professionals," said Robert Drennen, director of Saint Joseph's University Public Safety and Environmental Protection Institute.
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