INDIANAPOLIS-State health officials announced the release of the 2008 Fireworks-Related Injuries Report.  As of August 12, 2008, there were 141 fireworks-related injuries, including one death, reported to the Indiana State Department of Health. Of these injuries, more than three-quarters (111) occurred between June 30 and July 6.

"Sixty-five percent of the fireworks injuries were burns, mostly to the fingers and hands" said Joan Duwve, M.D., medical director for Injury Prevention at the State Department of Health. "However, eye injuries were also fairly common."

State health officials say children and adolescents continue to be most affected by fireworks injuries. According to the report, 62.3 percent of the injuries to youth occurred with an adult present.

"Almost half of the total injuries involved children and adolescents, but they make up a little more than one-fourth of the population," said Dr. Duwve. "They don't understand the dangers of fireworks, so it is important that parents are aware of how they can protect their children."

Dr. Duwve says that the best way to prevent fireworks injuries is to attend a public fireworks display rather than buying fireworks for personal use. But she says that if people insist on using fireworks at home, they should never allow young children to play with fireworks, including sparklers.

Other highlights from the report include:

• One out of every four reported injuries involved the eyes, with 75.7 percent of those with eye injuries not using any method of eye protection.
• Ninety percent of those seeking treatment for their injuries were evaluated and released to go home, 9.2 percent were admitted to the hospital or transferred to another hospital.
• Firecrackers, rockets, aerial devices, and sparklers were associated with 65.3 percent of all reported injuries.
• Fireworks use on private property accounted for almost 87 percent of reported injuries.

In August 2007, the State Department of Health reported 156 fireworks-related injuries in Indiana.

"While we have seen a decrease in the number of injured people from last year, we are still concerned about the number of Hoosiers being badly hurt by fireworks each year, especially children," said Dr. Duwve. "Fireworks are not toys, and should be handled with great caution."

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