Ask the Doctor

Firework Safety Tips

Undoubtedly, the most popular and traditional way to celebrate Independence Day is with fireworks.  Every year, thousands of adults and children buy, discharge and admire fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday season.

Each year Southern Hills Medical Center's Emergency Department receives several patients who have suffered eye injuries, burns and traumatic wounds as the result of firework injuries.

Even smaller fireworks, such as bottle rockets and sparklers can be dangerous.  The best bet for avoiding injury is to leave the fireworks displays to the professionals, but if you prefer to do it yourself there are safety tips that can help prevent a trip to the emergency department:

• Always read and follow label directions
• Have an adult supervise all fireworks activities
• Light fireworks one at a time
• Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers
• Eye protection should always be worn by the fireworks shooter
• No part of the shooter's body should be over the firework

The majority of the fireworks-related injuries seen in the hospital’s emergency department are eye injuries. Fireworks can rupture the eyeball, burn the eye and face, cut eyelids and cause corneal abrasions.  In case of eye injury:

• Do not delay medical attention.  Even seemingly mild damage can worsen and result in serious vision loss, even blindness that might not have occurred with immediate treatment.  Get to the emergency room right away.
• Do not rub the eye.  If any eye tissue is torn, rubbing might cause more damage.  Rubbing the eye is an automatic response to pain, but pressure can cause more serious damage.
• Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs because these medications could increase bleeding.  Acetaminophen such as Tylenol is the over-the-counter drug of choice for pain.
• Do not apply ointment or other medications

Dr. Eric Morris, Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Southern Hills, is board certified in emergency medicine.