Injuries reduced in 1996 but fireworks still a threat

Monday, June 30, 1997 | 4:29 a.m.

It has taken a lot of lost eyes, mutilated fingers and other various battle scars but the war to ensure fireworks safety apparently is being won.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety says that fireworks injuries nationwide reached an all-time low last year of 7,600, based on a sampling of people treated for fireworks-related injuries at the nation's hospitals.

That was down from 11,313 in 1995 and the record 13,200 in 1994. The previous all-time record of 12,900 was set in 1992. Other bad years were 1986 (12,600 injuries), 1993 (12,600) and 1990 (12,400).

The Consumer Product Safety Commission began keeping statistics on fireworks injuries in the early 1970s. Another significant CPSC statistic is that there has been a steady decline in the number of injuries per 100,000 pounds of fireworks from a high of 18.3 in 1990 to 6.4 last year.

Despite the good news, some groups won't stop their fight until every firework is legislated out of the hands of children.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that all fireworks be banned, including those currently legal in the United States.

Prevent Blindness America said injuries still occur despite the numerous warnings because people don't realize just how dangerous the tiny explosive devices can be -- that is, until they are injured.

The national organization says bottle rockets, which travel upwards of 200 mph, remain the most dangerous -- not to mention one of the more popular illegal fireworks -- as far as permanent eye damage is concerned.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety says explosive devices such as M-80s and M-100s, banned in 1966, continue to be a big problem, accounting for one third of all Fourth of July injuries.

Even something as traditional as a sparkler can be dangerous. Some burn as hot as 1,800 degrees -- a temperature that can melt gold. Yet parents routinely hand them to small children during holiday festivities.

In Clark County, sparklers designated as size 10 or less no longer are even classified as fireworks, but rather as novelties, said Mike Cyphers, a Clark County Fire Department chemical engineer.

Yet, he notes that sparklers with the "Safe and Sane" brand label have been tested to be safe as long as they are properly used.

Only 10 states ban all consumer fireworks, among them is neighboring Arizona. California is one of 32 states (and the District of Columbia) that has state laws which allow use of consumer fireworks. Six Eastern states allow only sparklers.

Only two states have no laws other than county ordinances -- Hawaii and Nevada.

In Clark County, only "Safe and Sane" brand fireworks are allowed to be sold and ignited locally.

Fireworks purchased in neighboring counties, on local Indian Reservations or from out-of-state through mail order companies are illegal to ignite or even possess in Clark County, Cyphers said.

No fireworks of any kind, including Safe and Sane brand, are allowed on federal recreation lands, officials said.