With 4th of July coming up this weekend, there are plenty of dangerous things to look out for. Greasy food, excessive amounts of alcohol, heatstroke, holiday traffic, the list goes on and on.
But the most popular, and the most dangerous tradition is well known: fireworks. More specifically, fireworks of the do-it-at-home variety.
While large, legal fireworks shows are a source of pollution and a source of danger in themselves, the real danger lies at home. According to Medical Daily, fireworks that are available to the public are responsible for 20,000 fires, $32 million in property damage, and 9,300 serious injuries every year.
Of course they’re dangerous, you might say. Those roman candles are enormous, but I never use those! Unfortunately, it’s the little ones that are the most destructive. Firecrackers are responsible for 32 percent of firework-related injuries, whereas bottle rockets, sparklers, shells, and roman candles all account for less than fifteen percent of injuries each.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released information about the types of injuries caused by fireworks, and the facts are unsettling. Fireworks have and do result In death, burns, lacerations, and foreign objects in the eye. Most firework injuries are torso injuries.
Perhaps the least surprising part? 72.3 percent of all fireworks-related injuries are sustained by men.
So do your part to keep the men in your life safe this weekend, and keep fireworks away from your home. Go see your local park’s fireworks instead, they’re sure to have a fireworks show worthy of America’s independence.
What are your plans for this holiday weekend?
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