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 On New Year's
Eve, the professional fireworks displays
for the new millennium will be
spectacular, beautiful, and impressive to
watch. Unfortunately, fireworks also will
bring tragedy and blindness from misuse by
inconsiderate adults or unsupervised
children.
As past president of the Florida Society
of Ophthalmology, I pass on the society's
prediction that more teenage boys will be
blinded in fireworks injuries New Year's
Eve than from any other cause this year.
As an eye surgeon who treats these
unfortunate individuals who are burned or
blinded, I realize fireworks' potential
for severe and dangerous damage.
Fireworks can be dangerous to even the
best trained people using the best
equipment. Fireworks can be blinding or
fatal if used by people who are drunk,
thoughtless or inconsiderate. If you find
yourself exposed to this situation New
Year's Eve, you can ask them to stop, call
the police, or move away to a safer are.
These people are breaking the law and
endangering you or your family, and you
need to protect yourself and your family.
As medical advisor to Prevent Blindness, I
would like to offer some recommendations
to prevent blindness:
1. Always have a responsible adult present
for proper supervision. Unfortunately,
adult supervision is not sufficient unless
that person and each person is somewhat
familiar with the dangers of fireworks and
the general rules of safety. The
knowledgeable adults (parents) should
oversee individual use of even relatively
"safe" fireworks, such as sparklers.
2. Adults should never allow children to
ignite or handle the fireworks.
3. Never experiment by taking apart
fireworks or mixing more fireworks
together with other explosives.
4. Never try to make fireworks yourself.
5. Always light fireworks outdoors in a
cleared area away from houses, flammable
materials and innocent bystanders.
6. Only light one firework at a time, and
maintain a safe distance while lighting
each one.
7. Keep a bucket of water nearby for any
emergencies.
8. Dispose of all fireworks properly, and
soak all malfunctioning fireworks in
water.
9. Never try to re-ignite a bad fuse.
10. Always store your fireworks in a cool,
dry place until time for use, and avoid
rough handling that may damage the fuse or
handles.
11. Never ignite fireworks in a glass
container, aluminum can or under a clay
pot. All of these can explode and send
shrapnel that can blind you before you can
blink or turn.
12. Always have sober, adult supervision
and wear protective eye wear.
13. Never throw sparklers into the air,
wave them near a person's eyes, or "sword
fight" with them.
14. Re-read the instruction labels before
igniting any product. Almost all injuries
are caused from misuse rather than product
defect.
15. In case of eye injury, do not press on
the eye. Please go to the nearest
emergency room and seek immediate care or
call a medical doctor or ophthalmologist.
If fireworks are ever used at home, please
follow the above guidelines, but always
remember: Fireworks are not toys!
Every community will probably have an
impressive fireworks shows, run by
licensed professionals. I recommend that
everyone attend one of these city
sponsored firework displays.
There is so much to see in the new
millennium.
Help us save sight this New Year's Eve.
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