June 28, 2004
Hello! Sunday is the Fourth of July. "As July 4 approaches,
you're probably thinking about sitting out on the lawn with your
family and neighbors, eating snacks, and watching beautiful fireworks
bursting in the night sky. July 4 celebrations can be a lot of
fun, but you also need to be mindful of your safety.... Even sparklers
can be dangerous; they are the second highest cause of fireworks
related injuries requiring trips to the hospital. Sparklers can
heat up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. That's hot enough to melt
gold!" The Consumer Product
Safety Commission reminds us that: Some injuries occur when products are used as directed but do not work as expected: "A 6-inch fountain
that shot colored fireballs injured a 4-year-old girl. When the
fountain tipped over, the victim was struck in the chest by a
fireball. She sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns to her chest
and neck. She was hospitalized for three weeks for burn treatment
and skingrafts." Some injuries occur when products are altered and used in ways their creators never intended: "A 15-year-old male
tied together the wires of 10 sparklers. The sparklers ignited
quickly and burned down very fast, finally exploding in his hand.
The victim sustained a five-inch long laceration to his hand and
forearm exposing muscle. Also, debris from the explosion lodged
in his hand and arm. The victim had plastic surgery and has recovered." Whatever the cause, "In
2002, emergency departments treated * 8,800 people for fireworks-related
injuries in the United States, and 4 people died from their injuries. "More than half of the injuries involved burns (66%)." "Fire. Whether it‚s
a tiny flame flickering on the end of a birthday cake candle,
or a wall of flame 200 feet tall and a mile wide roaring through
a forest, all fire is essentially the same. In simplest terms,
fire is a chemical reaction....Fuel, heat and oxygen are all needed
in the right combination to produce fire." Fireworks produce the heat, and the oxygen fills the air around us. If the heat and flame are contained and are not allowed to come into contact with any other fuel, then all goes well. It is when the flame is not contained that problems can occur. "How fast cloth
burns depends on what it is made of, how much air is available
during burning, and how hot the fire is while it is burning.... As clothes can burn, so can the people inside them. "Burns are characterized
by degree, based on the severity of the tissue damage. A first-degree
burn causes redness and swelling in the outermost layers of skin
(epidermis). A second-degree burn involves redness, swelling and
blistering, and the damage may extend beneath the epidermis to
deeper layers of skin (dermis). A third-degree burn, also called
a full-thickness burn, destroys the entire depth of skin, causing
significant scarring. Damage also may extend to the underlying
fat, muscle, or bone....Burns may be caused by even a brief encounter
with heat greater than 120°F (49°C)." "Burns may be caused
by even a brief encounter with heat greater than 120°F (49°C)." To put these numbers
in perspective, temperatures need to reach "about 617 degrees
F, 325 degrees C for wood to burn..." Yes, there are risks, but what's the Fourth of July without fireworks? If fireworks are illegal where you live, or if you just don't want to deal with doing it yourself, there are often professionally done public shows put on by cities, parks, or local organizations. "If fireworks are
legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own,
be sure to follow these important safety tips: Following these guidelines will certainly reduce the chance of injury, but nothing is a 100% guarantee. If something does go wrong, what would you do (and what should you not do)? "After your child
has been removed from the source of the burn, if he has a minor
burn, you should soak it in cold water for about fifteen minutes,
by placing it under running tap water or by covering the area
with a cold, wet towel. You should not put ice, butter, or any
ointments on the burn and do not break any blisters that have
formed. If possible, remove burned clothing or cut it away. Next
place a sterile dressing over the burned area and call your doctor
for further instructions, especially for second or three degree
burns, which should almost always be seen by a health professional." Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
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