Fourth of July is a day when many Americans gather with family and friends to enjoy picnics and barbecues and to watch fireworks displays.

Tragedy, however, can often spoil the fun of watching fireworks when a loved one is injured or a fire is sparked by fireworks.

This past week, fireworks sparked a small fire during a display at the Schnecksville Fair.

Dr. Alex Rosenau, senior vice chair of emergency medicine with Lehigh Valley Health Network, spoke with The Press on Monday about common injuries caused by commonly sold fireworks.

He said sparklers are hot burning embers and can cause significant eye injuries.

“We have seen rockets that have gone off prematurely blow off fingers,” Rosenau said.

His staff has also seen eye injuries from fireworks wrappers that have blown into patients’ corneas, severe burns and hearing loss from fireworks.

Rosenau suggests leaving fireworks to the professionals and keeping children away from them.

Dr. Justin Binstead, medical director of the emergency department with St. Luke’s University Health Network, also spoke with The Press.

He said every year, on the Fourth of July, his staff sees one or two firework-related injuries per shift in the emergency department.

“We see mild burns, eye injuries and finger amputations,” Binstead said.

He suggests using common sense when handling fireworks.

According to a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission study, fireworks were involved in an estimated 10,500 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments between June 20 and July 20, 2014.

“Males account for 74 percent of firework-related injuries. However, the risk of fireworks injury is highest for young children ages 5-9, followed by children 10-19,” the CPSC study states.

The CPSC study also states an estimated 1,400 emergency department-treated injuries were associated with sparklers and 100 with bottle rockets.

“Firecrackers were also associated with 1,400 estimated injuries. Reloadable shells were associated with 600 estimated injuries. Novelty devices accounted for 400 estimated injuries, and Roman candles were associated with 300 estimated injuries,” the CPSC states.

According to National Fire Protection Association, “Almost half (47 percent) of the reported fires on the Fourth of July were started by fireworks.”

Firecrackers, bottle rockets, novelty devices, reloadable shells and Roman candles are fun to watch, but it is important to follow safety tips when using and igniting them.

• Always read package instructions and cautionary labels before igniting any type of fireworks.

• Never relight a firework that does not light.

• Never light fireworks indoors or near homes, buildings, vehicles or grassy areas as they could start a fire.

• Dispose of used fireworks by wetting them down before placing them in a metal garbage can.

• Store all fireworks away from combustible or flammable materials.

• Avoid the use of alcohol when handling fireworks.

• Never allow children to play with or around fireworks.

• Never leave a child unsupervised when using sparklers.

• Call 911 immediately if a loved one becomes injured or a fire is sparked by fireworks.

The Fourth of July is a wonderful time to enjoy with family and friends, so stay safe and protect yourself and your loved ones from injuries that could ruin holiday festivities.

Make fireworks safety a top priority.

Susan Bryant

editorial assistant

Parkland Press

Northwestern Press