HALLOWEEN & FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS

Illegal explosives or homemade fireworks account for 30 per cent
of firework associated injuries

VANCOUVER, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - BC's Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund urge everyone to have a Safe & Happy Halloween. Illegal explosives or homemade fireworks account for 30 per cent of the injuries associated with fireworks. Children from age 5 to 19 are most frequently involved in fireworks-related injuries, and the Burn Fund points out the need for close adult supervision of all fireworks activities. Halloween fireworks can cause injuries serious enough to require emergency room treatment if they are used by inexperienced amateurs. Severe injuries caused by fireworks can include burns, lacerations, amputations, and blindness.

Statistics of Firework Damage and Injuries:

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) the most recent stats for North America indicate:

• In 2008, fireworks caused an estimated 22,500 reported fires, including 1,400 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 20,600 outside and other fires.
• These fires resulted in an estimated 1 civilian death, 40 civilian injuries and $42 million dollars in direct property damage.
• Hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 7,000 people for fireworks related injuries.
• 53% of 2008 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 37% were to the head.
• 57% of the 2008 fireworks injuries were burns, while 20% were contusions and lacerations.
• Two of five (40%) of people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15.
• The risk of fireworks injury was highest for teens ages 15-19 and children 5-9, both with at least 2-1/2 times the risk for the general population.
• Sparklers, fountains, and novelties alone accounted for 32% of the emergency room fireworks injuries in 2008.

Educational Video:

'Two Buddies and a Bomb' is an educational video detailing the dangers of fireworks.

This 12-minute documentary film produced for the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund by Oak Bay Johnny Productions, to advocate firework safety. The video was produced for distribution throughout BC to high schools, free of charge. This video is designed for ages 14 and over as it contains graphic images and is not suitable for younger viewers. Copies of the video are available through the Burn Fund office at 604-436-5617 or at [email protected].

Please visit http://burnfund.org for a comprehensive listing of Halloween & Firework Safety Tips.

Available for interviews:

Mike Hurley, BCPFF Burn Fund President; Burn Fund Local Representatives in fifty communities throughout British Columbia are available to discuss Firework Safety.

For further information:

Media Contact: Nola Laubach (604-436-5617) / E-Mail: [email protected]