BE ALERT TO THE ILLEGAL USE OF FIREWORKS

The Fourth of July is a day to celebrate America's hard-fought struggle for independence with parades, picnics, and fireworks. Celebrations often end with traditional fireworks displays. Fireworks have become easier to purchase in the recent past and Tri-County Association for the Blind wants everyone to realize that while the fireworks sold at roadside stands are indeed legal, they can also be lethal. Fireworks in the hands of unsupervised children, can cause serious injury, including blindness and sometimes death.

The Pennsylvania Fireworks Law prohibits any combustible or explosive composition prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation. This includes, but is not limited to, firecrackers, skyrockets, roman candles, aerial fireworks, or other fireworks of like construction, and any fireworks containing any explosive or flammable compound. The sale and/or use of fireworks by unauthorized persons can result in punishment by fine, imprisonment, or both.

The common firecracker is still the most popular firework and the primary cause of accidents. Many firecrackers contain more than 200 percent more flash powder then federal safety standards allow. For example, M-80's, a common firecracker, is equal to more than an eighth of a stick of dynamite.

Many severe injuries occur when different firecrackers are combined to create larger devices and when explosives are put into containers such as glass jars. Rockets attribute to a large number of injuries, especially to the eyes. Because of their unpredictable flight patterns, rockets can easily strike a person in the eye, often an innocent victim who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Sparklers, although legal and harmless looking, burn at 1,800 degrees, leaving a steel core hot enough to sear flesh and set clothing and hair on fire. Sparklers are responsible for numerous eye injuries each year, especially when they are thrown in the air.

In 2003, five out of six (84%) of the 9,300 fireworks injuries reported to emergency departments involved fireworks that federal regulations permit consumers to use (formerly known as Class C fireworks). Total injuries were up from 8,800 from 2002. More than one-third (38%) of the 2003 fireworks injuries that presented in emergency departments were to the head, and half (51%) were to the extremities. About 20% of injuries involved the eyes. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of all injuries were burns. (Prevent Blindness America)Sixty percent of those injured were age 19 or younger. The highest risk of fireworks injury was to children, ages 5-9, whose risk in 2003 was nine times the all-age risk; in most other years, children ages 10-14 had the highest risk. Males accounted for nearly three-fourths (72%) of fireworks injuries. (Prevent Blindness American)

Tri-County Association for the Blind urges all Pennsylvanians to obey the Fireworks Law by not buying or using fireworks this Fourth of July. Instead, they suggest attending one of the supervised public fireworks displays in you area.

To learn more about eye safety and the services that we provide for people who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise disabled, contact Marie Sersch at 717-238-2531.

For more information on the Tri-County Association for the Blind, call (717) 238-2531; visit our web site at www.tricountyblind.org, or e-mail info@tricountyblind.org.