Fireworks and Plastic Surgery
The tradition of celebrating our independence with a show of streaming fireworks was created the day the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776. Even though the war was still going on, celebrations using artillery, cannon fire, bonfires, illuminations, firecrackers and rockets took place throughout the entire summer.
The first anniversary of Independence Day, July 4, 1777, was documented as being celebrated with a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with the launching of thirteen rockets. This celebration gave way to the tradition of using fireworks to commemorate the momentous occasion. Today, the tradition lives on and the firework shows just get bigger and brighter each year.
Displays of bright lights illuminate the skies in big cities, small towns and even backyards. As we approach this year’s celebration, however, national health and safety advocates are trying to spread awareness of the dangers of fireworks through the release of various public service announcements.
The advocates joined District of Columbia fire officials at a press conference June 18 to share their concerns. Officials publicly expressed their disappointment that a recent attempt to ban the use of consumer fireworks failed. “There is simply no safe way to use consumer fireworks,” argued James A. Shannon, president of the National Fire Protection Agency. “People should leave fireworks to the professionals and celebrate our nation’s birthday by enjoying professional displays put on by trained individuals.”
Some 6,700 members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the largest organization of board certified plastic surgeons in the world has joined forces with NFPA in its mission to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life. The ASPS, founded in 1931, is comprised of more than 90 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States.
More fire-related accidents occur on the fourth of July each year than any other day as a direct result of consumer fireworks accidents. In 2006, more than 9,000 people were treated for fireworks related injuries, more than half of which were children. Alarming statistics such as these are what encouraged members of NFPA and the American Academy of Pediatrics to create the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks five years ago.
Studies show that more than 50 percent of fireworks injuries are burns; other severe injuries documented are contusions or lacerations. These injuries have kept medical doctors and plastic surgeons busy working to repair the damages done to fireworks victims.
Matt Scott, for example, lost his hand in a freak fireworks accident back in 1985. After much consideration, he decided to undergo constructive plastic surgery in a Louisville hospital. The surgical procedure took many hours and after months of physical therapy, he is able to use both hands today. Unfortunately, not all victims of consumer fireworks are as lucky as Matt.
This year the family of a 3-year-old boy killed by a consumer firework July 4, 1991 joins the Alliance in an effort to spread awareness of the dangers. The family speaks out about their loss in one of the public service announcements scheduled to be released before July 4. The PSA also documents other families and individuals affected by fireworks-related accidents in an effort to educate people of the extreme dangers.
The NFPA and the Alliance will continue to join forces with organizations across the world in an effort to spread awareness of the dangers behind consumer fireworks.
