Firework‐related injury in the Top End: a 16‐year review

Read, David; Bradbury, Richard B.; Yeboah, Edward D.

doi:10.1111/ans.14182

Cited by 18 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Fireworks are a culturally significant part of celebrations in many parts of the world. 1 It was estimated by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that nearly 10,500 individuals (3.3 per 100,000) underwent treatment at emergency department of hospitals for injuries related to fireworks in year 2014. This rate of affected individuals has remained relatively stable since year 1999.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Profile and Management Outcomes of Fireworks-Related Eye Injuries in Saudi Arabia: A 16-Year Retrospective Study

Al-Ghadeer¹,

Khandekar²

2021

OPTH

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Background: Fireworks are a culturally significant part of celebrations in many parts of the world but can lead to blinding injuries. Objective: To decipher the profile and management outcomes of fireworks-related eye injuries at a tertiary eye hospital in central Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a retrospective review of cases with fireworks-related eye injuries managed at our institution between 2003 and 2019. Demographic information, clinical features at presentation, mode of management, and visual outcome were evaluated at the last follow-up. Results: A total of 155 eyes of 150 patients with a median age of 10 years [127 male (84.7%) and 69 (46%) right eyes, 76 (50.7%) left eyes, and 5 patients with bilateral injury] were enrolled for the study. Among the injured individuals, 59 (39.3%) were bystanders and 91 (60.7%) had ignited the fireworks. The fireworks included bangers (53; 35.3%), rockets in bottle (42; 28%), firecrackers (41; 27.3%). Closed globe injury (CGI) was the most common type of eye injury (100; 64.5% eyes) while Open globe injury (OGI) was noted in (55; 35.5% eyes). Management used for treatment included penetrating injury repair (55; 35.5%), lens removal/lens implant (51; 32.9%). Corrected distance visual acuity obtained after 6 months was 20/20 to 20/60 (74; 47.7%), 20/70 to 20/200 in (31; 20%), <20/200 to 20/400 in (9; 5.8%) and <20/400 in (41; 26.5%) eyes. Treatment was able to restore vision and salvage blindness in 50 (32.3%) eyes. Conclusion: Mainly males were found to suffer from fireworks-related eye injuries and the main fireworks responsible for them were bangers. Visual disability remained in one-third of the treated patients.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Profile and Management Outcomes of Fireworks-Related Eye Injuries in Saudi Arabia: A 16-Year Retrospective Study

Al-Ghadeer¹,

Khandekar²

2021

OPTH

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“…When the energy released by the explosion is high, the blast wave effects can be devastating both in terms of morbidity and mortality. This situation is more likely to occur in a working context, most frequently within confined spaces [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to literature, explosion-related deaths are not uncommon events, and are most frequently associated with terrorist or military activities; in this context, fireworksrelated deaths account for just a few of all cases, being usually ascribed to suicidal attempts or accidents related to their production or use for fun and entertainment [4,9,[14][15][16][17][18][19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forensic investigative issues in a fireworks production factory explosion

et al. 2021

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Since their discovery in ancient China, fireworks rapidly spread throughout the world, where they have always been used to celebrate either popular or private events. Their use is nonetheless related to several risks, especially within production factories, since several injuries or even death can occur following an accidental ignition. In cases of major disasters related to fireworks explosions, stating the accidental or intentional nature of the event might prove challenging, thus raising the need of a multidisciplinary approach. In this regard, we here discuss the case of an accidental explosion that occurred in a fireworks production factory, accountable for five deaths and two hospitalisations.

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“…This is consistent with previous published data in New South Wales regarding firework injuries and reflects similar patterns in Australia and several other countries where a spike in firework injuries during periods of celebrations such as Territory Day in the Northern Territory, Independence Day and Halloween in the United States, Guy Fawkes Night in the United Kingdom and the Diwali festival of light in India. 10,14,[17][18][19][20] This is particularly important to guide the timing of targeted public awareness campaigns, which have been shown to reduce the incidence of burns in several countries. 10,17,21,22 With the median age of burns victims being younger than school age it is important that education and awareness campaigns extend beyond the school setting and into the community.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Firework and sparkler burns in paediatric patients

Ricciardello

Yang

Chamberlain

et al. 2021

Australas J Plast Surg

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Background: While the consumer sale of fireworks is illegal in New South Wales, the sale of sparklers is legal—however, both still pose a significant risk of harm in the paediatric population. Anecdotally, burns services are aware that the misuse of sparklers can result in burns but there appears to be a paucity of studies examining this incidence in the paediatric population in Australia.Method: A retrospective review of all burns related to the use of fireworks or sparklers referred to the Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW) Burns Unit (BU) from January 2004 to December 2019. Results: 96 patients were referred to the CHW BU with a burn as a result of a firework or sparkler. Sparklers accounted for 69 (72%) of burns, compared with 27 (28%) from fireworks. The mean age of those injured by sparklers was five years compared with eight years in the firework group. Average total body surface area (TBSA) affected for both mechanisms was similar—for sparkler burns (2.0%) firework burns (2.4%), with a range of 0.1–15 per cent. Hands were the most common area burnt in both groups comprising 41 (59%) of sparkler burns and 13 (48%) of firework burns. Twenty patients required a total of 32 visits to the operating theatre for acute management of their burns.Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential for significant injuries as a result of fireworks and sparklers. These findings can be used to raise awareness regarding their dangers, direct targeted educational campaigns and guide safety advice regarding their use.

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Firework‐related injury in the Top End: a 16‐year review

Abstract: Consumer firework usage results in a small number of life altering injuries annually. Previous prevention campaigns focusing on device user safety should be expanded to include the safety of bystanders and children and reduce firework usage outside of the Territory Day.

Cited by 18 publications

References 10 publications

Profile and Management Outcomes of Fireworks-Related Eye Injuries in Saudi Arabia: A 16-Year Retrospective Study

Profile and Management Outcomes of Fireworks-Related Eye Injuries in Saudi Arabia: A 16-Year Retrospective Study

Forensic investigative issues in a fireworks production factory explosion

Firework and sparkler burns in paediatric patients

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