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In 2009, 8,800 people were treated in emergency departments for firework-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  An estimated 5,900 fireworks-related injuries, or 67 percent of people treated, occurred during the one-month period surrounding the Fourth of July Holiday. The parts of the body most often injured were hands and fingers (estimated 1,900 injuries), eyes (1,600), and the head, face, and ears (900). Some injuries even caused permanent vision loss.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks referred to as “safe and sane” cause more injuries than illegal fireworks, especially to preschool children.  For children under the age of 5, half of the total injuries were from sparklers. Children ages 15 and younger make up a significant number of fireworks injuries, accounting for 39 percent.

Prevent Blindness Ohio supports the development and enforcement of bans on the importation, sale and use of all fireworks and sparklers, except for authorized public displays by competent licensed operators. The nonprofit eye health and safety group believes it is the only effective means of eliminating the social and economic impact of fireworks-related trauma and damage

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article courtesy of Woio.com

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