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A clear sky. Low 73F. Winds light and variable..
A clear sky. Low 73F. Winds light and variable.
As fun as July 4th festivities typically are, injuries, particularly those involving fireworks, are a concern that celebrants should not take lightly.
As fun as July 4th festivities typically are, injuries, particularly those involving fireworks, are a concern that celebrants should not take lightly.
According to the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, fireworks-related injuries have been trending upward in the U.S., with a particularly large number of injuries occurring in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic when many public fireworks shows were canceled, a new federal report finds.
In 2006, about 9,200 fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency departments, but by 2021 there were 11,500, a 25 percent increase, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s latest annual fireworks report. Over the 15-year period reviewed, injuries increased by an average of 274 per year, with most occurring close to the Fourth of July holiday.
During that 15-year period, 158 fireworks-related deaths were reported, for an average of about 10 per year. The report states that reporting of fireworks-related deaths for 2021 is incomplete, but at least nine were reported that year.
The highest number of fireworks-related injuries reported in a single year during the 15-year period was 15,600, reported in 2020.
ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson said the safest way to enjoy fireworks on the upcoming Fourth of July holiday weekend is to view a public display instead of allowing your family to handle dangerous objects.
“For young children, sparklers are particularly dangerous,” said ACHI President and CEO Dr. Joe Thompson. “Sparklers burn at extremely high heat, and touching a lit sparkler to skin can result in third-degree burns. The last place you want to be on July 4 is in the emergency room with an injured child.”
Fireworks aren’t the only danger this time of year. In order to remain safe, individuals can heed these tips.
Do not drink and drive. Alcohol consumption may accompany Independence Day festivities. For those planning on using a car to get to and from parties, it is essential to designate a driver who will not imbibe.
Swim smartly. Always swim with a buddy, and consider hiring a lifeguard if you’ll be hosting a pool party and cannot keep a watchful eye on guests in the pool. Adults also should not swim intoxicated, as it can impede the ability to stay afloat and may lead to risky behaviors.
Leave fireworks to the professionals. Watch a public fireworks display instead of lighting fireworks on the street or in the backyard.
Exercise caution with sparklers. Kids running around with sparklers in hand could be a recipe for disaster, as sparklers burn extremely hot. Make sure children do not wave them around or others can get burned. Keep a bucket of water handy to properly extinguish the sparklers.
Review safe boating practices. If July 4th festivities find you out on the water, be sure that life jackets are worn and set boating and water safety rules for the family.
Watch food temperatures. Do not leave food out in the hot sun for too long; otherwise, harmful bacteria can grow and potentially cause foodborne illnesses. The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says to never leave food out of refrigeration for more than two hours. If the temperature is above 90 F, food should not be left out for more than one hour.
SOURCE: Arkansas Center for Health Improvement and Metro Creative Services
Cities and towns across the country commemorate special days with various festivities, particularly when warm weather beckons people outdoors. Fireworks long have been a popular way to cap off parades, concerts, sporting events, and national days of celebration. Entire communities come together to watch spectacular shows in which blazing pops of color light up the night sky.
Smithsonian magazine reports that pyrotechnics displays have been astounding audiences all over the world for centuries. As early as 200 B.C. fireworks were developed in China to first scare off mountain men and later evil spirits. However, soon the Chinese incorporated "fire drug," essentially saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal (a recipe for gunpowder), into their cultural celebrations. Early Chinese fireworks consisted of the gunpowder mixture stuffed in bamboo tubes.
Fireworks have evolved since then, but by and large they're still comprised of the same main parts: an oxidizer, fuel and chemical mixture to produce desired colors. Fireworks are a wonder to behold when they are part of professional displays, and their history can be interesting as well.
• While the Chinese invented fireworks, Italians helped fine-tune them. Italians are credited with designing aerial shells and figuring out that certain metallic powders could create specific colors.
• The largest consistent fireworks show in the United States is the Macy's show in New York over the Hudson River on July 4th. More than three million people view the show, which includes more than 40,000 shells.
• The Walt Disney Company is the largest consumer of fireworks in the world, according to Business Insider. It also is the second largest purchaser of explosive devices, behind only the U.S. Department of Defense.
• High-energy metal compounds like copper chloride emit colors like violet and blue in fireworks. Low-energy compounds like strontium chloride produce orange and red.
• The pattern fireworks will produce in the sky is determined by how stars are arranged inside of the shell. Stars are the cubes or spheres that contain the chemicals needed for the firework reaction.
• Individuals who are employed in the manufacture of fireworks must wear cotton clothing, including undergarments, as synthetic clothing can create sparks capable of detonating fireworks, according to Alamo Fireworks.
• Various fireworks shapes have their own names. They may be called willows, palms, crossettes, horsetails, rings, cakes, and more.
• New Castle, PA is known as the "Fireworks Capital of America" because Zambelli Fireworks Internationale and Pyrotecnico both got their start there in the mid-nineteenth century.
• Scientists are currently working to create more eco-friendly fireworks.
Fireworks will soon be booming in towns and cities all over, and their history is as interesting as their displays are awe-inspiring
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