The July 4th holiday means big business at Ball Memorial Hospital.
Ball Memorial Hospital Emergency Room has yet to see its first firework injury this year. However, the hospital is not setting aside its typical preparations for the holiday.
With July 4th on a Friday this year, the hospital plans to provide an extended staff, including an additional registered nurse and technician, to be properly prepared for the weekend.
"Most of the urgent care facilities and primary care providers close especially since the Fourth falls on a Friday this year, so we typically have increased volume in the Emergency Department, which can lead to overcrowding," Neil Gifford, public relations spokesman at Ball Memorial Hospital, said.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 64 percent of injuries involving fireworks occur within a month of Independence Day.
Last year, hospital emergency rooms around the country treated nearly 9,800 people for injuries caused by firework mishaps, and 11 people died as a result. On average, seven fireworks-related deaths occur annually.
Most injuries involve hands, legs and eyes. The majority of injuries happened to children ages 10 and 14 in 2007.
"Eighteen-to-30-year-old males that have consumed too much alcohol are the normal patients we see with injuries," Gifford said.
Most injuries treated at Ball Memorial were burns and eye injuries, but Gifford said they don't specifically track firework-related injuries.
"It is important not to go back up to the firework if it does not go off the first time; this is usually when most accidents happen," David Miller, chief investigator and inspector at Muncie Fire Department, said.
Last year, when July 4th was on a Wednesday, the number of injuries decreased across the state compared to 2006. However, with the holiday on a Friday this year, Steve Graves, Indiana Fireworks User Association director, said he anticipated more sales, which would likely cause more injuries.
One hundred-fifty-six cases of firework injuries were reported to Indiana State Department of Health as of Aug. 1, 2007.
Sparklers caused 1,100 injuries nationwide, the greatest amount in 2007.
"Most people think that sparklers are the safest, but they can burn at up to 2,000 degrees," Graves said. "When children are handling them, they should be under extreme adult supervision."
Graves said he believed sparklers caused a majority of injuries sustained by children. He said his biggest concern with fireworks use was misuse, often caused by carelessness and the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. Misuse is not only a problem in Indiana, but nationally.
Graves said he hoped to get the local governments, including fire departments and police officers, more involved to help get the message out about safety. Currently, the Indiana Fireworks User Association depends on public service announcements and safety brochures.
Along with the significant amount of injuries caused by fireworks, the Center for Disease Control reported that in 2004 nearly 2,200 structure and vehicle fires causing more than $21 million in property damage were the result of fireworks.
The Muncie Fire Department has not had any issues so far this year with fires started by fireworks. Typically residents call after seeing lingering smoke from fireworks, in most cases. The department is prepared for the holiday, but does not require extra staff.
"We've had a few bottle rockets that land on roofs (in the past)," Miller said. "Other than that, people just need to use common sense."
This story was written in conjunction with NewsLink Indiana.
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