Office of Public Relations — Newsroom
News Release
Public Cautioned to Remember Safety While Celebrating Independence Day
Burn Expert: Even Sparklers Can Cause Serious Injury When Misused
DENVER (June 29, 2006) - Most fireworks are illegal in Colorado due to tinder-dry conditions across the state and the rest of the Southwest, and law enforcement agencies are encouraging the public to leave July Fourth fireworks to experts who are adept at orchestrating showy, awe-inspiring displays.
However, those who choose to light fireworks despite restrictions should know this: Even seemingly innocuous sparklers, Roman candles, fountains, and cherry bombs can cause serious burns and other injuries if not used properly, and health care experts warn that revelers should practice safety - and use common sense - while enjoying the Independence Day holiday.
"Never handle firecrackers directly. Never hold a firework in your hand while lighting it. Never hold more than one sparkler in a hand. Don't breathe in smoke from cherry bombs," warned Dr. Gordon Lindberg, director of the University of Colorado Hospital burn unit and assistant professor of surgery at the CU School of Medicine. "I've treated people who, while holding a fistful of sparklers in one hand, ended up with deep burns. These burns can take several weeks to a month to heal, and sometimes need grafting."
Lindberg heads one of the top burn units in the Rocky Mountain region and the only unit in Colorado that has received verification by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons. He said the most common type of injury caused by misuse of fireworks are traumatic injuries in which skin, tendons and even muscles are torn from the bones in hands and arms. "It's the force of the explosion that causes the damage," he added.
Patients who suffer traumatic hand and arm injuries while lighting firecrackers are usually treated by plastic surgeons who have to reconstruct the victims' extremities and digits. However, burn experts see the kinds of injuries that are caused when people light fireworks in their hands or pick up ones that are still hot.
Lindberg said anyone lighting fireworks should wear eye protection and refrain from breathing in smoke and embers. Even professional fireworks technicians can suffer serious injuries. Lindberg once treated a professional who was seriously injured when a canister of fireworks detonated unexpectedly. "Accidents happen, and those injuries can be very devastating," he added.
Anyone who suffers any kind of serious burn should immediately seek the advice of a health care expert, and heed the advice of the American Burn Association:
- Over the Fourth of July holiday, the best advice is to leave fireworks to the professionals. There are many opportunities in the Denver area alone to enjoy professional shows.
- If you do suffer any kind of burn, stop the burning by removing any clothing that is covering the skin and run cool - not cold - water over the injury. However, if clothing is stuck to the skin, do not pull it off and seek immediate medical attention.
- Never put ice on a burn as it can worsen the injury.
- Cover burns with clean, dry cloths or bandages, but do not apply creams, ointments, salves or butter to the burn as this can hold in heat and make it worse.
- Do not break any blisters unless instructed by a physician.
- If the burn is less than the size of the victim's palm, it probably can be taken care of at home, but contact your primary care physician for specific advice.
- Seek immediate medical attention for any burn larger than the victim's palm.
- Don't try to remove bits of metal or plastic from the skin. Leave them in place and let a health care professional remove them to minimize further damage.
- If you suspect any eye injuries, seek an immediate evaluation by an ophthalmologist. Not all eye injuries create symptoms. Many are relatively painless, but if left untreated could lead to infections.
"The safest thing is to get any injuries evaluated by a professional. Don't try to treat it yourself. We have ointments and therapies that heal burns faster and with less scarring than any home remedies," Lindberg said.
In November, the University of Colorado Hospital burn unit was recognized as one of the top burn units in the Rocky Mountain region when it was re-verified by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, which commended staff and managers for their commitment to excellence in treating burn patients.
University of Colorado Hospital is the Rocky Mountain region's leading academic tertiary care and referral center, and has been recognized as one of the United States' best hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report. Located in Denver and Aurora, Colo., the hospital is part of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center, in the University of Colorado system. For more information, visit the Web site at www.uchsc.edu or the UCDHSC Newsroom at http://www.uchsc.edu/news.
For more information about the American Burn Association, visit www.ameriburn.org.