Handling Firework Mishaps: First Aid Tips You Need to Know!

Starting the year in the emergency room is a terrible way to kick things off. Unfortunately, sometimes New Year’s fireworks don’t light up where they should. Here’s crucial knowledge for handling emergencies.

Potential Injuries Caused by Fireworks

When fireworks explode too close to the body, it often leads to more than a single injury. For instance, if a rocket flies into someone’s hood and sets their hair on fire, a trail of fire can cause devastating burns in the head and neck area.

First Aid Measures

In such situations, severe injuries can occur, jeopardizing eyesight and causing long-lasting physical and psychological scars. Prompt and proper first aid is crucial.

Hand Injuries

A common scenario is a firecracker exploding in hand proximity. In luckier cases, it might only result in a scare, but in unfortunate instances, fingers or parts of the hand may be severed.

Saving Severed Fingers

Can the amputated finger, or “amputat,” be saved? Only professionals can make that assessment. If heading to the hospital, the amputated finger should be brought along. Dry transportation is essential, wrapping the amputat in a clean cloth, placing it in a sealed plastic bag, and then in another bag filled with water and ice.

Reconstructive Challenges

Saving the severed finger is possible if arteries, veins, and nerves on both the stump and the amputat can be identified and reconnected. However, this is a rare occurrence, as explosive injuries often result in torn and burnt tissue, making reconstruction challenging.

Treating Burns

For smaller burns, it’s recommended to cool the affected area with lukewarm water, not ice-cold water, for about five minutes. Larger burns, covering significant areas like an entire arm or chest, should not be cooled by showering. Instead, the person should be wrapped in a rescue blanket from the first aid kit.

Timely Action for Large Burns

In cases of extensive burns, especially when a whole limb or the chest is affected, quick action is crucial. It’s advised not to spend too much time and effort wrapping the burns, as medical professionals will need to assess and possibly remove the applied bandaging.

Eye and Ear Injuries

For injuries to the eyes or ears, covering them with a sterile compress, as found in emergency kits, is recommended. Immediate medical attention is crucial.

Sleeping on Small Wounds?

While many firework injuries require immediate attention, not everyone heads to the hospital promptly. Some individuals may be intoxicated and decide to sleep off their injuries. However, delayed treatment can complicate matters, especially for wounds like lacerations, which shouldn’t be sutured after six hours due to infection risks.

Dealing with Hearing Damage

Experiencing muffled hearing or a ringing in the ears after fireworks could indicate damage. While it’s generally acceptable to wait a few hours or even a day to see if symptoms improve, persistent or worsening issues, such as dizziness or balance problems, require immediate medical attention.

Preventing Injuries: Safe Firework Handling

Prevention is the best strategy, and the primary rule is to avoid illegal or self-assembled fireworks. Always opt for fireworks with a CE marking and a BAM test number, ensuring they meet safety standards.

Additional Safety Tips

Using fireworks that don’t require hand ignition, like rockets, enhances safety. Secure the launching bottle in a stable position to prevent misfires into crowds. It’s crucial not to carry fireworks on the body or attempt a second ignition for failed ones.

Protecting Hearing

For those involved in fireworks, protecting hearing with wax or plastic earplugs is advisable, not only for those with sensitive hearing but for everyone.

Alcohol and Fireworks

Although champagne is a staple at midnight, responsible firework handling should not be compromised by alcohol. Alcohol can lead to recklessness, increasing the chances of mishandling explosive devices.

Conclusion

As the clock strikes midnight, ensuring a safe and injury-free celebration involves responsible firework usage, prompt first aid, and awareness of potential risks.

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