Fireworks without nasty consequences
Fireworks are fun - but not entirely harmless. Here's how to get through August 1 safely.
Fireworks not only make children's hearts beat faster, adults can hardly escape the fascination of the spectacle.
But the colorful rockets, volcanoes and firecrackers harbor dangers: Around 260 accidents involving fireworks are recorded each year. Between 2009 and 2013, there were even five accidents that ended in a disability pension and two wetere with fatal consequences, as reported by Suva.
This affects men significantly more often than women (80% to 20%). People between 20 and 30 (37%) and between 40 and 50 (24%) are particularly frequently affected.
36 % of the injuries are burns. Most frequently, burns affected the hand (35 %) and then followed by the lower extremities (30 %). In 23 % of the injuries, the hearing was affected. In 12 % of the injuries were superficial injuries and in 8 % were open wounds.
These consequences could simply be avoided. Suva's tips for a safe August 1:
- Only burn legal fireworks, do not tinker with your own creations.
- Have the fireworks ready in a safe place.
- Read the instructions for use in good time (still in daylight) and comply with them.
- For rockets, use the launchers available at points of sale.
- Never set off fireworks in a crowd of people.
- Keep a safe distance of at least ten meters.
- Do not approach a dud for at least 10 minutes and never light it twice.
