MEDICAL SURFARI: WATCHING FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS IS SAFEST ACTIVITY

A few years ago, when I first met my wife's family (she is one of 11 children) I met her seven brothers including "Brother Joe," who I often think of near each Fourth of July holiday. Joe is a robust young college student who graduated valedictorian of his high school class and like his other brothers, he is a bright wholesome-appearing All-American boy. Joe can catch and throw a football just as well as any of his brothers and he can do virtually anything that they can -- despite his left hand amputation.

When Joe was a young high school student he and a friend made a mistake. They unwrapped hundreds of firecrackers and saved the gunpowder in a metal container with a screw on lid. Just for fun they planned to set this off in a nearby field. unfortunately, it exploded in Joe's bedroom and it blew off his left-hand. Of course, this created quite a bit of commotion; as the bomb squad was called out and the explosion made quite a mess of Joe's room (more than usual). Joe learned from his misuse of fireworks -- but it cost him his left hand.

Fireworks injury rates are at an all-time low. Federal safety regulations, combined with an increased consumer awareness, are making the Fourth of July holiday safer than ever. However, explosive devices like M-80s and M-100's continue to be a problem despite being banned since 1966. These illegal explosives and homemade fireworks still account for one-third of all the Fourth of July injuries. Legal fireworks that meet the safety regulations of the Consumer Product Safety Commission are on sale in 40 of the 50 United States.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission found that "in instances where legal types of fireworks were involved in accidents, either from its use or malfunction, the resulting injuries were relatively minor and did not require hospitalization. The majority of injuries from family-type fireworks involves misuse rather than malfunction.

Much to my own amazement, as I researched this column, family-type fireworks are relatively safe. There are almost five times more injuries from pencils and pens and nearly 100 times more injuries on bicycles.

To help you celebrate safely this Fourth of July holiday, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following safety tips: (1) always read and follow label directions, (2) have an adult present, (3) buy from reliable fireworks sellers, (4) ignite outdoors and have water handy, (5) never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks, (6) light one at a time and never reignite malfunctioning fireworks, (7) never give fireworks to small children, (8) store in cool, dry place and dispose of properly, (9) never throw fireworks at another person, and (10) never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot fireworks in a metal or glass container.

If you do sustain an injury while using fireworks, immediately apply cool (not icy) water to the burn. Take over-the-counter analgesics to help reduce pain and inflammation and seek immediate medical attention if the injury appears to be more than minor.

Most cities have a municipal fireworks display that is quite entertaining, so if you really want to play it safe, just watch.

World Wide Web Resources

The National Council of Fireworks Safety, Inc.

http://www.fireworksafety.com/

This Web site provides information on fireworks safety tips, state laws regarding fireworks, injury data and a parent's corner.

Cosmic Fireworks

http://www.captain-cosmic.com/guide.htm

This Web site provides a comprehensive and easily understood guide to the safe use of family fireworks.

Firework Safety

http://www.usacitylink.com/usa/safety.html

This Web site uses information from Prevent Blindness America and provides a fireworks safety quiz developed by an ophthalmologist.

Dr. Scott Gibbs is a neurosurgeon and editor-in-chief of Mosby's Medical Surfari. You may e-mail questions to him at drgibbs@semissourian.com or write in care of the Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63701.