Not intended as a substitute
for medical treatment or advice
-- Every year,
thousands of consumers purchase Class C fireworks to celebrate New Year's or the Fourth of
July. Others may buy firecrackers for the sheer enjoyment of setting them off anytime of
the year. While many cities have drafted legislation either banning fireworks sales
entirely or severely limiting their acceptable use, those who are of legal age can still
obtain such things as sparklers, bottle rockets, firecrackers or buzz bombs. In general, a
site is selected that is free of flammable material and is suitable for the specific needs
of the fireworks themselves. Conscientious users also provide a means of fire-prevention,
usually a supply of sand or water. But despite these precautions, accidents involving home
fireworks can and do occur with enough frequency to keep emergency rooms busy. Whether you
are a participant or a casual observer at a home fireworks display, here are some first
aid tips to keep in mind should an accident occur:
1. Before an accident has a chance to happen, take a
proactive stance. Besides preparing for a firework that misfires, prepare for the
possibility of a human misfire. Have a supply of gauze, hydrogen peroxide, ice water and
other first aid supplies readily available. If an accident is severe enough to warrant a
trip to the emergency room, you'll want to save as much time as possible. The sooner a
bandage can be applied or a wound cleansed, the better for all involved.
2. Chemical burns: These are
probably the most common injury connected with a defective firework. Bottle rockets and
other projectiles are designed to expel extremely hot gases towards the ground, so a
severe chemical burn can occur in the first few seconds of a misfire. Assess the condition
of whatever area of skin was exposed to the flame. If it appears reddened but not
blistered, it is a first-degree burn and can be treated with an over-the-counter burn
ointment and a loosely-wrapped gauze bandage and medical tape. If you notice blisters, the
burn is at least second-degree and will require medical attention soon. DO NOT attempt to
burst any blisters that form. Check to see if any chemical residue is still surrounding
the wound. Some fireworks contain phosphorus, which can react with water and cause more
burning, so do NOT wash the injury with water or peroxide if you suspect the presence of
chemicals. Gently use a dry cloth to brush away loose materials around the burn. Place a dry gauze pad directly over the
blistered area and secure it with a loosely wrapped piece of medical tape. Advise the
victim not to do anything to the injured area, and arrange for professional medical
treatment. If the injured area looks charred or tissue seems to be missing, the burn is
third-degree and you need immediate professional medical assistance. Keep the victim calm
and hydrated, and check for any signs of shock, such as shallow breathing or appearing
'spaced out' and disconnected. Because of the nerve damage that can accompany third-degree
burns, these injuries may not register as painful to the victim, so don't be alarmed if
they show no signs of apparent pain or suffering. Parents should especially be aware of
sparklers around small children. The ignition point of these 'low-level' fireworks can
reach the temperature of a welder's torch.
3. Severe lacerations and amputations. Many fireworks have an explosive
stage, and have the force necessary to completely sever fingers. Most of the time a
firework is safely out of range before the explosion occurs, but intentional misuse or a
faulty timing fuse can cause an powerful blast near the victim. Some illicit fireworks,
such as M-80s, actually contain the equivalent power of a quarter stick of dynamite. If an
unplanned explosion occurs, seconds may count. Immediately assess the injury on the field.
Are all body parts accounted for? Even if an amputation has not occurred, the damage to
the hand and fingers can be extensive. Bleeding is your first concern. Excessive blood
loss can cause the victim to go into shock. Apply a gauze pad directly to the wound and
maintain pressure. Have someone else contact professional medical help. If there is a
amputation, scan the area for the missing body part. Enlist bystanders to aid in this
search, since your own priority should be the victim. If the part is found, store it in a
plastic bag with milk if possible. Ice would also be acceptable. If none of these
materials are readily available, do not waste valuable time looking for them. Place the
part in a container and make sure the medical professionals receive it. Amputated parts
may or may not be reattachable, but your patient's overall health takes precedence.
4. Eye injury. These are not common injuries if all safety procedures
are followed, but occasionally a misfired firework may send a shower of sparks flying in
all directions, including the eye area. Sparklers commonly cause some minor eye injuries
if the child holds the lit sparkler too close to the face. If an eye injury occurs, assess
the victim for any other injuries. Advise them not to rub their eyes, which may cause the
chemical to spread or the foreign object to scratch the eyeball. Lift the victim's eyelid
and inspect the eyeball for any large particles or foreign objects. If you see an object
that has imbedded itself into the eye tissue, you should not attempt to remove it
yourself. Transport the victim to professional medical treatment as soon as possible. If
the irritant appears to be small and not imbedded, then use a commercial eyewash product
to remove the chemical. In an emergency, use regular water to flush out the chemical. The
chances of getting an infection from tap water are remote compared to the chances of
permanent eye tissue damage by doing nothing. Continue flushing the eye with water for
several minutes. Have the victim consult their eye doctor or other professional for
further treatment. While a spark from a sparkler may be very painful to a child, the
actual amount of foreign material is generally very small. Use a commercial eyecare
product to soothe the irritation, and assure the child that there is no permanent injury.
Bottle
rockets--firecrackers--buzz bombs
M-80s--cherry bombs. are not legal in Canada
-- Every year,
thousands of consumers purchase Class C fireworks to celebrate New Year's or the Fourth of
July. Others may buy firecrackers for the sheer enjoyment of setting them off anytime of
the year. While many cities have drafted legislation either banning fireworks sales
entirely or severely limiting their acceptable use, those who are of legal age can still
obtain such things as sparklers, bottle rockets, firecrackers or buzz bombs. In general, a
site is selected that is free of flammable material and is suitable for the specific needs
of the fireworks themselves. Conscientious users also provide a means of fire-prevention,
usually a supply of sand or water. But despite these precautions, accidents involving home
fireworks can and do occur with enough frequency to keep emergency rooms busy. Whether you
are a participant or a casual observer at a home fireworks display, here are some first
aid tips to keep in mind should an accident occur: 
1. Before an accident has a chance to happen, take a
proactive stance. Besides preparing for a firework that misfires, prepare for the
possibility of a human misfire. Have a supply of gauze, hydrogen peroxide, ice water and
other first aid supplies readily available. If an accident is severe enough to warrant a
trip to the emergency room, you'll want to save as much time as possible. The sooner a
bandage can be applied or a wound cleansed, the better for all involved.
2. Chemical burns: These are
probably the most common injury connected with a defective firework. Bottle rockets and
other projectiles are designed to expel extremely hot gases towards the ground, so a
severe chemical burn can occur in the first few seconds of a misfire. Assess the condition
of whatever area of skin was exposed to the flame. If it appears reddened but not
blistered, it is a first-degree burn and can be treated with an over-the-counter burn
ointment and a loosely-wrapped gauze bandage and medical tape. If you notice blisters, the
burn is at least second-degree and will require medical attention soon. DO NOT attempt to
burst any blisters that form. Check to see if any chemical residue is still surrounding
the wound. Some fireworks contain phosphorus, which can react with water and cause more
burning, so do NOT wash the injury with water or peroxide if you suspect the presence of
chemicals. Gently use a dry cloth to brush away 
loose materials around the burn. Place a dry gauze pad directly over the
blistered area and secure it with a loosely wrapped piece of medical tape. Advise the
victim not to do anything to the injured area, and arrange for professional medical
treatment. If the injured area looks charred or tissue seems to be missing, the burn is
third-degree and you need immediate professional medical assistance. Keep the victim calm
and hydrated, and check for any signs of shock, such as shallow breathing or appearing
'spaced out' and disconnected. Because of the nerve damage that can accompany third-degree
burns, these injuries may not register as painful to the victim, so don't be alarmed if
they show no signs of apparent pain or suffering. Parents should especially be aware of
sparklers around small children. The ignition point of these 'low-level' fireworks can
reach the temperature of a welder's torch. 
3. Severe lacerations and amputations. Many fireworks have an explosive
stage, and have the force necessary to completely sever fingers. Most of the time a
firework is safely out of range before the explosion occurs, but intentional misuse or a
faulty timing fuse can cause an powerful blast near the victim. Some illicit fireworks,
such as M-80s, actually contain the equivalent power of a quarter stick of dynamite. If an
unplanned explosion occurs, seconds may count. Immediately assess the injury on the field.
Are all body parts accounted for? Even if an amputation has not occurred, the damage to
the hand and fingers can be extensive. Bleeding is your first concern. Excessive blood
loss can cause the victim to go into shock. Apply a gauze pad directly to the wound and
maintain pressure. Have someone else contact professional medical help. If there is a
amputation, scan the area for the missing body part. Enlist bystanders to aid in this
search, since your own priority should be the victim. If the part is found, store it in a
plastic bag with milk if possible. Ice would also be acceptable. If none of these
materials are readily available, do not waste valuable time looking for them. Place the
part in a container and make sure the medical professionals receive it. Amputated parts
may or may not be reattachable, but your patient's overall health takes precedence. 
4. Eye injury. These are not common injuries if all safety procedures
are followed, but occasionally a misfired firework may send a shower of sparks flying in
all directions, including the eye area. Sparklers commonly cause some minor eye injuries
if the child holds the lit sparkler too close to the face. If an eye injury occurs, assess
the victim for any other injuries. Advise them not to rub their eyes, which may cause the
chemical to spread or the foreign object to scratch the eyeball. Lift the victim's eyelid
and inspect the eyeball for any large particles or foreign objects. If you see an object
that has imbedded itself into the eye tissue, you should not attempt to remove it
yourself. Transport the victim to professional medical treatment as soon as possible. If
the irritant appears to be small and not imbedded, then use a commercial eyewash product
to remove the chemical. In an emergency, use regular water to flush out the chemical. The
chances of getting an infection from tap water are remote compared to the chances of
permanent eye tissue damage by doing nothing. Continue flushing the eye with water for
several minutes. Have the victim consult their eye doctor or other professional for
further treatment. While a spark from a sparkler may be very painful to a child, the
actual amount of foreign material is generally very small. Use a commercial eyecare
product to soothe the irritation, and assure the child that there is no permanent injury.