Fireworks Fun Gone Wrong: What's Really Happening?

Fireworks light up the sky during holidays, but they're also lighting up emergency rooms. Injuries from fireworks have been on the rise in the U.S. since 2012. A recent study looked at firework-related injuries from 2016 to 2021.

Key Findings

• Timing: Most injuries happen around New Year's and Independence Day.
• Body Parts:
• Hands: 90% of injuries occur here.
• Faces: Second most injured area.
• Substance Use:
• Alcohol: Half of the injured had been drinking.
• Drugs: 40% had other drugs in their system, with methamphetamine being the most common.
• Severity: Having alcohol or drugs in the system didn't make the injuries more severe.

Implications

The study highlights the need for hospitals to be prepared for these types of injuries. It's also a reminder for people to handle fireworks with care, especially during holidays.

Conclusion

Firework injuries are a real problem, not just due to the fireworks themselves but also how people use them. It might be time to consider safer ways to celebrate.