Jun 25, 2009 2:35 pm US/Eastern
Experts Attempt To Prevent Fireworks Injuries
Reporting
Ron Matz
COCKEYSVILLE, Md. (WJZ) ―
-
-
Approximately 9200 people are treated in the emergency room for fireworks related injuries annually.
CBS
With the arrival of summer and with July 4 getting closer, the state fire marshal is warning against the use of illegal fireworks. With the exception of sparklers most fireworks are illegal in Maryland.
Ron Matz has more on the damage fireworks can cause.
In a second someone's hand can be shattered from playing with fireworks. Fireworks burns can be life changing injuries said Dr. Ray Pensy of the Curtis National Hand Center.
The Maryland State Fire Marshal came to Cockesyville Thursday to warn people about the use of illegal fireworks.
"In Maryland, there are various laws in jurisdictions. Baltimore City does not permit any type of fireworks for consumer consumption and use, but Baltimore County allows a limited array of fireworks that can be purchased. You don't want to buy them in Baltimore County and take them to the city," said William Barnard, Md. State Fire Marshal.
Sparklers and ground based sparkling devices became legal in most of Maryland in 2001, but in Baltimore City, they remain illegal. A sparkler can ignite a piece of clothing in seconds.
Sparklers burn at up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, that's hot enough to melt gold.
"Fireworks injuries in general are caused by so-called legal fireworks that federal regulations permit consumers to use," said Dr. Stuart Dankner, pediatric ophthalmologist. "Sparklers which are legal in Maryland account for the vast majority of eye injuries to children under age five. Sparklers burn at temperatures close to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt gold and certainly hot enough to permanently scar, disfigure, and blinding a young child's eye."
Illegal fireworks are packaged to look like legal ones.
"Don't be tempted, the danger is that the packaging hides what fireworks can really do to harm you," said Roger Powell, president of Md. Fireman's Association.
"There are a lot of public displays and we're urging folks to take advantage of them, but if they want to celebrate in their own backyard with a product that's legal we want to make sure they do it in a safe way," said Barnard.
The National Fire Protection Association says the trend in fireworks injuries has gone up since 1996. The highest injury rates are for children ages five to fourteen.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
WJZ.COM's Most Popular Slideshows
Great NFL Hair
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
