By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

HAVE A SAFE AND SANE 4TH BY LEAVING FIREWORKS TO THE PROS

Question: We live in a state that allows firecrackers and most other fireworks. My children, who are now teenagers, want to have a family fireworks display in our backyard this year. I think that this could be dangerous. What would you advise?

Answer: The laws vary greatly from state to state on which fireworks are legal for consumers to purchase and use. Currently, 18 states allow nearly all consumer fireworks. There are 20 states that restrict non-professionals to what’s called “safe and sane” fireworks. Generally this means no firecrackers, but such things as fountains, sparklers, trick noisemakers, smoke devices and snakes are OK. Four states, including Ohio, allow only sparklers or novelties. There are now eight states that ban the use of all consumer fireworks.

Since you live in one of the more “liberal” states in terms of fireworks laws, a greater share of the burden is on you -- as a parent -- to oversee the activities of your children and to insure their safety. My recommendation would be to scrap the backyard display and go to a public fireworks show in your area. In other words, leave it to the pros. If, however, you decide to let your children do a fireworks show, there are a few things which you should keep in mind.

First, choose a safe location. It should not be near any combustible materials, and the surface should be free of obstacles so that the risk of falling in the dark is minimized. Select light-colored, flame resistant clothing. This will help prevent the participants from running into each other in the dark and make it less likely that any stray sparks will set someone’s clothing on fire.

The explosive force necessary to make a firecracker go "BANG" or to propel a rocket into the sky can cause serious damage if it goes off while still in someone's hand. An obvious method for preventing these injuries is to never light any firework while it is in someone's hand. Put the firework in a proper holder or on a solid surface. Light the fuse, preferably with a long match, then run-run-run.

Fuses are unpredictable, and sometimes they will set off the fireworks in an instant instead of allowing the usual several second delay. Remember that skyrockets and other fireworks have sufficient force to go up into the air. If your child were to lean over the rocket when it is ignited, the rocket goes into him or her instead of into the sky. Instruct them to stand to the side of the firework and use that long match.

Be very careful with firecrackers. While small firecrackers will only cause a burn if they go off in the hand, larger firecrackers will blow fingers to pieces. If a firecracker is lit on a gravel driveway, it will send gravel shrapnel flying in every direction when it goes off. That’s why it’s important to place firecrackers on a safe surface, like a concrete driveway, when lighting them.

Even the so-called “safer” fireworks -- like sparklers, smoke bombs and snakes -- can produce injury from burns or falls. The wire inside a sparkler gets very hot as the sparkler burns. The wire stays hot after the sparkler has burned out, but young children often don't realize this until they grab that hot wire and burn their hand.

Here’s wishing you a happy and safe Independence Day!

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.