Jumping June ideas - June 21, 2015 -Fireworks poll: 33% have been injured by fireworks or know someone injured by fireworks in U.S

What’s more dangerous: cleaning the toilet, lighting candles or watching firecrackers explode?

Looking at the results of a new fireworks safety poll released today by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, you might say No. 1 and No. 2. 

The Academy’s national fireworks survey found that nearly three times as many people say they wear eye protection for cleaning (28%) than when using fireworks (10%). When it comes to kids, five times as many said it’s OK for children to use sparklers and other fireworks compared to lighting birthday candles.

These attitudes on fireworks safety may have something to do with the increase in fireworks injuries in recent years. According to 2015 Fireworks Safety Survey results released today by the Academy, based in San Francisco, a third of Americans know someone injured by fireworks or has been injured themselves. The survey was conducted by Harris Poll and also revealed these findings:

• Eye protection use more common for home repair than fireworks: Among adults, 26% report wearing protective eyewear when doing home repair like plumbing or carpentry, and 28% wear eye protection for cleaning with chemicals. But only 10% of adults say they wear protective eyewear when handling fireworks, which could help them avoid serious eye injuries.
• More people say it’s OK for kids to handle fireworks and sparklers than birthday candles: 54% say that it is okay for children ages 5 to 10 to play with sparklers and other fireworks, but only 11% would allow a child of that age range to light birthday candles, and only 4 percent would allow cooking on a stove. Sparklers burn up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, almost 10 times hotter than water.
• The South ranks first for planned fireworks use: More people in the South plan to use consumer fireworks than any other region (27%). Overall, 20% of Americans overall plan to do their own firework. The figure is lowest in the Northeast at 11%.

Fireworks Safety Video and Audio Messages
Nearly 40% of fireworks injuries hurt children age 15 and under according to the 2014 fireworks injury report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. To help families educate their kids about fireworks safety, the Academy has created a fun, child-friendly animated 60-second video public service announcement featuring Suzy the Sparkler, Freddie the Firecracker and their friends.

The Academy’s audio public service announcement, “It’s not worth the risk,” features Jameson Lamb, 19. The Chicago college student explains how he was blinded in his right eye by a roman candle at age 16 and is now offering advice to others about fireworks safety. (30s PSA)

For more fireworks eye safety information from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, go to www.geteyesmart.org/fireworks.  

Fireworks eye injury patients, eye doctors for interview
If you need to speak to patients who have suffered a fireworks injury or an ophthalmologist who can talk about fireworks eye injuries and how to avoid them, contact me and we can help coordinate an interview.