As households throughout the nation put together to rejoice Independence Day and the nation’s 250th anniversary, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is reminding the general public to take precautions when dealing with fireworks. Fireworks may cause severe accidents to the palms, fingers, arms and face, lots of which can have lasting penalties. Based on the U.S. Shopper Product Security Fee (CPSC), an estimated 14,700 fireworks-related accidents have been handled in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2024, a 52% improve from 2023.1
“Many fireworks injuries affect the hands and fingers and can result in severe burns, fractures or even amputations,” stated Tyler Steven Pidgeon, MD, FAAOS, orthopaedic hand surgeon and spokesperson for the AAOS. “Even devices that may seem harmless, such as sparklers, can reach temperatures hot enough to cause serious injuries. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional public display and keep children away from all consumer fireworks.”
AAOS provides the next security suggestions to assist stop fireworks-related bone and joint accidents:
Examine together with your native police division to find out if fireworks are authorized in your space. In that case, discover out which varieties, and confirm that there’s not a burn ban in impact in your group which may create hazardous hearth situations.
By no means buy or use unlawful fireworks. Their high quality can’t be assured.
Solely adults ought to mild fireworks.
By no means enable younger youngsters to play with or go close to fireworks, together with sparklers. Some sparklers can attain temperatures of greater than 1,000 levels.
At all times have water shut by in case of a hearth, similar to a hose hooked to a faucet or a close-by bucket of water.
Put on security eyewear when utilizing fireworks.
Soak used fireworks in water earlier than discarding to forestall setting unintentional fires.
By no means attempt to relight a firework.
If you’re injured utilizing fireworks, search instant medical consideration.
By no means deal with fireworks in case you are beneath the affect of medicine or alcohol.
For added details about fingertip accidents and amputations, go to OrthoInfo.org.
1 CPSC Urges Fireworks Security Forward of July 4th Vacation | CPSC.gov
SOURCE American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
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