FIREWORKS MAY BE FUN BUT HARDLY CHILD'S PLAY

The fireworks season is upon us and, unfortunately, so is the concurrent fireworks-related injury season. The rapid-fire popping of firecrackers and colorful glare of rockets in a night sky are traditional parts of America's celebration of independence. The proper use of fireworks makes the summer holiday special; their careless use can leave a permanent injury. While we hope area residents enjoy this bit of Americana, we urge caution in the use of fireworks.

Children flock to fireworks stands but these explosive devices are not toys. They are responsible for almost 10,000 injuries a year. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, about 640 of these injuries result in permanent eye damage. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says that retail fireworks have fuses that burn for 3-6 seconds, a short time for young children to make good judgments. Sparklers, often thought to be fireworks for "beginners," burn at 1,800 degrees and cast off white-hot particles.

Not only users of fireworks are at risk. One study noted that 40 percent of those suffering eye injuries from fireworks are bystanders. Further, bottle rockets are a traditional menace in a dry environment; their haphazard flights often lead to arid rooftops and parched fields.

The greatest safeguard that can be employed in the purchase and handling of fireworks is parental supervision; there is no substitute for the experience they can lend to these situations. Fireworks can be an enjoyable part of mid-summer. Their potential for danger, however, should not be minimized.