Bracing for an influx of fireworks-related burn injuries, local emergency doctors are urging people to use extreme caution with their July 4 festivities.
“A moment of poor judgment can change the rest of your life,” Dr. George Dulabon, medical director for trauma at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver, stated in a press release Thursday.
Dulabon, who has seen permanent injuries from fireworks ranging from the loss of a hand to blindness, warns not to drink alcohol while using fireworks and to keep a close eye on children, “who often don’t have the ability to understand the force of these things,” he said.
Last year, there were 277 fireworks-related injuries reported that required hospital care, including 10 in Clark County, according to the Washington State Patrol. The most common causes are holding fireworks in the hands, getting too close, being struck by fireworks and leaning over fireworks.
This year’s unusually dry conditions are increasing the chance of fire, which places people at greater risk for burn injuries. Wildfire season has begun early in the state, prompting Gov. Jay Inslee to issue a statement Thursday about heightened concerns regarding the danger of fireworks use.
“No matter what people have done with fireworks in past years, these conditions require us all to exercise an extraordinary amount of caution and safety this year,” stated Inslee, who does not have the legal authority to impose a statewide fireworks ban.
As of 5 p.m. Thursday, nine bark dust fires, three grass/brush fires and six fireworks noise complaints had been called in to 911 dispatch in Clark County.
State Fire Marshal Charles Duffy reminded residents to properly dispose of fireworks debris to avoid fires.
“If you blow it up, clean it up,” he stated in a press release, which offered the following tips:
• Submerge used fireworks in a bucket of water for 15 minutes.
• Double-wrap the soaked fireworks in plastic bags for disposal with household trash.
• Dump the water from the bucket on the ground in a place where it won’t run off into the municipal water system.
• Don’t put fireworks into a bag without soaking them first — this could start a fire in the bag.
• Return to your fireworks discharge area in daylight to clean up debris you may have overlooked in the dark.
In Vancouver, deputy fire marshals are patrolling for people using fireworks in city limits this week. So far, four $250 citations have been issued, city Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli said Thursday. Based on the relatively limited fireworks activity this year, the public seems to be getting the message about the fireworks laws, she said.
Fireworks are now on sale throughout the county. Discharge is permitted today in unincorporated areas and some cities. The only time Vancouver residents may use fireworks is from 9 a.m. to midnight July 4.
