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Let’s first take a look at some statistics from the U.S.
Fire Association. As you might expect … fires caused by fireworks peak in the
first week of July and are almost unheard of the remainder of the year.
These fires cause millions of dollars in property damage …
destroy thousands of acres of forests and kill an average of fifteen people
every year. Remember … this is just the damage from fires started by fireworks
… not the injuries or effects caused directly by fireworks.
The statistics from direct fireworks injuries are even more
staggering. Seventy five percent of all fireworks-related injuries occur within
thirty days of the Forth of July. Almost ten percent of
those injured will be need to be hospitalized. Men are much more likely to be
injured than women … and boys from the age of ten to fourteen are the most
likely to be injured. The most common areas of in jury are the hands … face …
and eyes.
If you do suffer an injury with fireworks … it will more than
likely involved a burn. There are many myths about how to treat burns … but
first you need to know how to tell the difference between the types of burns.
This diagram shows these differences which are based on the
depth of the burn. A first degree burn only affects the top layers of skin.
This type of burn … which is commonly caused by the sun … can be fairly painful
… but rarely is there any scarring. Next … are second degree burns which
penetrate deeper into the skin and are characterized by blistering. These burns
are extremely painful and if you are not careful … can become infected. And
lastly … there are third degree burns. As you can see … this type of burn has
complete destruction of the skin and requires surgery such as skin grafting in
order to heal properly.
Because of these dangers to you and your family … the safest
way to enjoy fireworks is through a public display by hired professionals.
