Firefighters: Leave Fireworks to Pros
By SHELLEY HANSONArticle Photos
WHEELING - Packaged in colorful boxes that promise fun, noise and excitement, even legal fireworks can be hazardous to one's health, a firefighter said Tuesday.
For example, the thin metal rod used for sparklers can reach 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit when ignited, noted Wheeling Fire Department Inspector Dave Palmer.
''That's hot enough to melt some metals,'' he said of the temperature.
And just trying to light fireworks, such as smoke bombs, can lead to burned fingertips. Palmer knows all too well. As a child he was burned when a firecracker ignited in his hand. Unlike some, Palmer didn't lose any fingers. But from that day forward he didn't play with fireworks. He also never bought them for his children.
''People are going to use them even though we recommend that they don't,'' Palmer said. ''In 2006, there were 9,000 visits to emergency rooms because of fireworks injuries in the United States.''
He noted children ages 10-14 have the highest injury rates, and 90 percent of the hospital visits cited were due to injuries via legal fireworks. In West Virginia, children younger than 16 years old aren't permitted to purchase fireworks, he said. And some fireworks that are legally sold in the state are actually illegal to use. But Palmer has a simple rule of thumb for those who insist on buying and using fireworks:
''If it goes up into the air and emits a noise, then it's illegal,'' Palmer said. ''We have a slogan, 'Protect your fingers and toes, leave the fireworks to the pros.'''
Dr. David Kappel, a plastic surgeon at Plastic Surgery Inc. in Wheeling and deputy director of the West Virginia Trauma System, said each year he performs at least one emergency-type surgery on July 4 due to a fireworks injury. The worst cases have involved powerful M-80 firecrackers blowing off portions of people's fingers, he said.
''We've had near amputations of thumbs ... compound fractures of the hand,'' Kappel said, noting one patient didn't think a firecracker had ignited and received a big surprise when he checked on it.
Palmer said people should never try to re-ignite a firework.
''One man leaned over a Roman candle and it hit him in the forehead,'' Kappel said. ''Most of the time we're dealing with legal explosives. Most are minor burns, second degree, and take a week to heal up.''
For example, sometimes children step on a hot sparkler wire with their bare feet, Kappel said. Palmer said to prevent that injury, a bucket of water should be kept nearby while using any type of firework. Spent sparkler wires should be placed in the water, he said.
''Fireworks and children should always be under the close supervision of a responsible adult,'' Kappel said.
Palmer also wanted to remind people that ''alcohol and fireworks don't mix.''
Wheeling Fire Chief Investigator Tony Campbell said a friend of his lost half of his thumb and a portion of another finger when using an M-80. It exploded as he was throwing it. It also partially burned the nose of the man's brother, who was standing nearby.
Instead of buying fireworks, Palmer suggests that people enjoy some of the many legal displays put on by communities in the region, including Wheeling's on Friday night.
''I have seen blast injuries requiring amputations of fingers and hands. I have also seen one death from fireworks,'' said Dr. Virgil Smaltz, Wheeling Hospital emergency services director, in a news release.
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cory1978
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07-02-08 12:29 PM
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thanks bek
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bekbekket
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07-02-08 8:09 AM
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Well said cory!!! There's a letter to the editor that should-no- NEEDS to be written.
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cory1978
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07-02-08 7:31 AM
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Has common sense left us all? The day I tell my kids they cant play with sparklers and smoke bombs on the 4th of july will be the day I have no brain. Use common sense, supervise your kids and accidents will be nulled. Kids raising kids is becomming an epidemic. What ever happened to the responsible 16 year old parent types of the 1930's?
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PCGS70
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07-02-08 2:14 AM
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Thanks for the warnings and reminders.
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