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Firework injuries presenting to a national burn's unit
Irish Medical Journal
|November 10, 2004
Summary
Illegal fireworks in Ireland lead to serious injuries, with many easily available on the black market despite being prohibited. Public awareness campaigns have failed to deter their use, resulting in continued harm to both children and adults.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Trauma Surgery
- Forensic Science
Background:
- Fireworks are illegal for public sale in Ireland but widely available through illegal traders.
- The study addresses the persistent issue of illegal firework availability and associated injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To record and analyze firework-related injuries presenting to a medical unit.
- To investigate the sources, cost, and supervision levels associated with illegal firework acquisition.
Main Methods:
- Prospective data collection of firework injury cases over a three-week period preceding Hallowe'en.
- Patient interviews to gather information on firework acquisition, expenditure, and supervision.
Main Results:
- 19 patients presented with injuries, predominantly hand burns (16 cases), with a mean age of 16 years.
- Most injuries occurred in local residents; fireworks were often sourced from Northern Ireland.
- Significant cost differences were noted between paediatric (Euro 2-4) and adult (Euro 45) purchasers.
Conclusions:
- Despite illegality, fireworks are accessible and unregulated in Ireland, posing a significant risk.
- Current public awareness strategies are ineffective, and enforcement against illegal traders is lacking.
- Continued serious injuries to children and adults are anticipated due to the ongoing availability of illegal fireworks.