A Texas police department is drawing attention to practicing fireworks safely ahead of the July 4th holiday by sharing some “twisted” images of fireworks-related injuries.
The Burleson Police Department shared six x-ray prints on his Facebook page Monday, showing hand injuries the department says were caused by the use of fireworks. Footage shows some of the victims with broken or missing fingers, while other hands appear to have been completely blown to pieces.
“Every year we tell you how fireworks are ILLEGAL IN THE CITY LIMITS OF BURLESON and you tell us, ‘boo!’ ‘whistle!’ ‘You’re the worst!'” Burleson police wrote along with their post. “Then we’ll give you another reason not to use fireworks. Just take a look at these twisted X-rays of fireworks injuries.”
According to a recent report According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 10,200 fireworks-related injuries were treated in US hospital emergency departments last year, and approximately 73 percent occurred in the two week period around July 4th.
The CPSC also reported 11 non-work-related fireworks deaths last year, including five related to personal misuse of fireworks. Other fatal injuries were due to device malfunction and one was associated with the overturning of a fireworks device. The victims were between the ages of 11 and 43.
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“Fireworks are beautiful to look at, but they can be deadly if not handled or used properly, or if the fireworks contain illegal components,” CPSC Chairman Alex Hoehn-Saric said in a statement. release attached to department report. “I urge everyone to be careful with fireworks, only use fireworks that are labeled for consumer use, and always keep children away from fireworks, including sparklers. We want everyone to have a fun and safe celebration.”
Of the fireworks injuries that occurred around the 4th of July last summer, the most frequently injured body parts were the hands or fingers. Other frequently injured parts included the head, face, ears, legs and eyes, the CPSC reported.
Fireworks are partially legal in most US states, with only Massachusetts implementing a complete ban on all consumer fireworks. Other states often have restrictions on what types non-professionals can purchase, as well as age restrictions. Three states—Hawaii, Nevada, and Wyoming—regulate fireworks at the county level.
The CPSC implements its own regulations for fireworks devices intended for use by consumers. According to the agency website, the agency analyzes fireworks samples in its own laboratory to determine if they meet federal requirements. Fireworks intended solely for commercial and professional use are not subject to such testing, but devices and displays that present risks to consumers may still fall under the substantial product hazards code and abide by such provisions.
news week has contacted the CPSC for more information on fireworks safety.