With the number of illegal fireworks complaints up over 700 percent in Illinois over last year, public safety officials and the medical community gathered at AMITA Alexian Brothers Women’s and Children’s Hospital to educate the public on the dangerous and lasting impact fireworks can have on families, pets, and combat veterans suffering from PTSD. The Annual Fireworks Report released last week by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) showed in 2019 there were 10,000 injuries treated in emergency rooms and 12 non-occupational deaths due to fireworks (including one in Illinois), an increase in both categories from the previous year. The total number of non-occupational fatalities from fireworks since 2003 is a staggering 133. As in year’s past, the highest injury rate for ER visits is young children and teens.
With the cancellation of many entertainment options due to COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions, there is an alarming increase in the use of illegal fireworks over the past month, which will only worsen as we enter the holiday weekend. Public safety experts stressed it is best to leave them to the professionals and find alternative ways to celebrate now that Illinois has entered Stage 4 and fewer restrictions are in place.
Fire officials did a live demo https://youtu.be/DOqZFyjgjCo showing how if a sparkler slightly brushes up against clothing, it can completely engulf the material in flames in a matter of seconds and quickly turned a celebration into a tragedy. For a pet friendly and safe Fourth of July, the Illinois State Veterinary Medicine Association (ISVMA) recommends that pet owners take the following precautions:
• Keep pets inside and away from matches, open fires and fireworks – especially if lit or on the ground.
• In addition to ensuring your pet’s wearing identification tags, ISVMA strongly recommends microchipping them to increase the likelihood of a reunion in the event of an escape.
• If you know your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder or fireworks, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th to determine the best ways to help alleviate their fear and anxiety.
