Prevent Injuries. Celebrate Independence Day Without Fireworks

Saw this in Contact Lens Today:

Prevent Blindness America (PBA) is urging Americans to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday without fireworks. According to the U.S Eye Injury Registry, bystanders are injured by fireworks more often that operators. And, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that during the 2005 Fourth of July weekend, 6,500 people were treated in emergency rooms across the country due to accidents caused by fireworks. There was also an increase in firework-related injuries, with 10,800 for the year of 2005, vs. 1,400 injuries in 2004. PBA’s Safe Summer Celebrations brochure offers fun, fireworks-free activities and tips on fireworks safety. Call 1-800-331-2020 or visit http://www.preventblindness.org to obtain a copy.

I remember the 4th of July 1976 playing with sparklers in the backyard. A few years later I was lighting a variety of fire crackers, Jumping Jacks, Bottle Rockets, etc. anywhere and everywhere, without parental supervision. I would even make smoke bombs filled with the powder painstakingly gathered from duds. These were lit in plastic balls and walnut shells. Sometimes we set carved boats out on the pond and blew them up. Jeez, if my parents only knew.

Of course I had a few close calls. I remember my friend dropped something in a metal garbage can which exploded before the lid was put on. The boom was deafening and our ears were ringing afterwards. I also had a fire cracker go off in my hand — which hurt a lot — but luckily I didn’t do anything too stupid that caused me serious injury. Since those carefree years, I’ve seen way too many images of bloody flesh caused by M-80s and the like.

In my old neighborhood (where a variety of cops and firefighters live), the street fireworks activities start a few weeks prior to the 4th and continue at least a week after. It’s funny since in recent weeks I’ve been reading news stories about the New York Police Department tailing New Yorkers who head to Pennsylvania to purchase fireworks, observe the transaction, and pull the perps over when they return to New York.

So… I advise that you don’t feel nostalgic about lighting fireworks with your kids with the idea that parental supervision is better. It’s really not worth the risk and hassle to either of you.

Plan a fun evening with the family. Go somewhere with a few blankets, a cooler and a radio and watch the staged shows. We’re lucky to have an annual show in a park less a mile from our house. As long as there’s an ice cream truck nearby, the kids will be happy.

Have fun and be safe!