Emergency rooms treated about 9,600 serious fireworks-related injuries in 2004, an increase of 300, when compared to 2003.
The report says 40-percent of those injuries involved children under 15.
About half of those came from fire crackers, rockets, and sparklers, which can reach tempertures upwards of 2,000 degrees. The report cites the hands, eyes, head , face, and ears as the most vulnerable places serious injury.
The government is urging Americans to use caution and take steps to avoid serious injury.
Including:
Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.Make sure fireworks are legal in the area before buying or using.Adults should always supervise.Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.Never point or throw fireworks at another person.Keep a bucket of water or a hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.Light one item at a time, then move back quickly.Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them in metal or glass containers.
