Keep The Sparks Out Of Your Eyes During Fireworks Season

By Cheryl L. Dejewski

Summer is a time for picnics, parades and festivals. Unfortunately, it’s also when people often decide to entertain themselves and friends and family with their own fireworks displays. This pastime has become a hazard nationwide—increasing the risk not only for accidental property damage, but serious personal injury as well. “Normally, more than 11,000 fireworks-related injuries occur each year with at least 2,000 involving the eye, and this year, that number is expected to be higher,” says ophthalmologist Daniel Paskowitz, MD, PhD, a continuing education lecturer for fellow eye care professionals. “What is most unfortunate is that the majority of these victims will be children or teenagers. If they won’t listen to common sense warnings, try arming yourself with sight-saving facts.”

Boys ages 13 to 15 sustain three-fourths of all fireworks-related eye injuries. The typical victim is playing at home, unsupervised, with a group of friends.

Bottle rockets are the most dangerous culprits. They can travel at speeds of up to 200 miles per hour before exploding and sending debris in all directions. The bottles or cans used to launch the rockets also often explode, showering fragments of glass or metal. And, because they fly erratically, these rockets frequently cause bystander injuries. Although illegal fireworks, such as bottle rockets and Roman candles, account for the majority of injuries, legal “Class C Common Fireworks” also cause thousands of painful accidents.

Sparklers cause three-quarters of all fireworks injuries for children under the age of five.

“Little kids are fascinated by the bright sparks and are tempted to touch them,” says Brett Rhode, MD, a partner at Eye Care Specialists who has treated thousands of eye injuries. “What parents need to remember, however, is that these are sticks of fire burning at temperatures as high as 1,200 degrees. That’s hot enough to melt gold. And, the sparks can cause skin burns severe enough to require hospitalization or eye injuries that result in permanent blindness.”

One in six fireworks-related eye injuries results in permanent vision loss or blindness.

These injuries include cuts, burns, abrasions, retinal detachment, optic nerve damage, rupture of the eyeball, and complete blindness. Besides lifelong physical and emotional scars, fireworks take a financial toll. Annual expenditures total more than $25 million for emergency room visits.

Educate your children about the dangers of home fireworks.

“Years ago, parents would give their kids sparklers to keep them amused while waiting for someone to set off a backyard display. But now, we know better. Sparklers are not toys; they are burning torches. And, no one–not even parents–should handle fireworks. Set an example for your children. Don’t use fireworks and don’t take the kids to watch someone else light up their backyard,” warns Daniel Ferguson, MD, an eye surgeon with special expertise in cornea care.

Despite the best precautions, eye injuries unfortunately do still sometimes occur.

If so, seek immediate medical attention. Mild injuries can often worsen and lead to serious vision loss. Ophthalmologist and father of two young daughters, Michael Raciti, MD, frequently cares for small children and offers the following advice, “Remember to stay calm and don’t panic. Your anxiety will only heighten

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