MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — With Independence Day on a Saturday, it is tempting to start the party early in the day and finish with a round of fireworks at dusk.
What should be a blast in the figurative sense can turn into a potentially serious injury from a blast in the literal one. Dr. Scott Vamaeulen says the easiest way to reduce problems when handling fireworks is to do so sober by keeping the amount of beer and liquor consumed in check.
Vamaeulen reminisces about the magic of fireworks as a child and says it is a great tradition that can be done in a safe way. Avera tends to see an uptick around the Fourth of July in patients with burns on their hands and fingers, sometimes around the eyes and face. The worst-case scenario is amputation, where someone loses their vision or use of their fingers permanently.
Vamaeulen reminds people to be attentive to the tube where the fireworks are launching from. Make sure it is set up and stable. The shells will only soar safely into the air and away from spectators when the base, the foundation of the launch, is solid. Vamaeulen does not recommend shooting any fireworks from a handheld position.
Every firework carries some danger with it. Vamaeulen says too many people think because sparklers are given to children that they are harmless. In reality, they burn as hot as 2,000 degrees. Any contact with a sparkler or touching someone else with one can lead to a burn. Even when the sparkler goes out, the metal core stays hot. Vamaeulen recommends having a bucket of water nearby for scraps and used fireworks to be doused in, which will extinguish any fire danger associated with them. Instead of sparklers, Vamaeulen suggests substituting in glow sticks.
Vamaeulen’s last recommendation when it comes to fireworks is to not relight one where the fuse fizzles out before making it to the trigger. He believes each firework should be visually inspected before using and if something looks wrong or out of the ordinary, to set that one aside to be thrown out.
From a health standpoint, only the most serious injuries require a trip to the emergency room. Most burns can be treated at home. Vamaeulen notes the best course of action is simple: run the burn under cold water for about 20 minutes. While many home remedies suggest using products such as balm, butter or toothpaste, cold water is enough.