Risk factors for fireworks-related injury in Washington State
L. V. McFarland, J. R. Harris, J. M. Kobayashi and R. C. Dicker
To determine the frequency and effects of and risk factors for fireworks
-related injury, we identified all 146 persons who were injured by
fireworks and sought emergency care during the 1983 July 4 holiday in the
Seattle area. The mean charge for medical care for the injuries received
was +562; 7.1% of those injured required hospitalization. In a matched-pair
case-control study, use of either of two fireworks types-- firecrackers or
aerial devices--was significantly associated with injury (odds ratios
[ORs], 3.3 and 2.9, respectively; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.2, 8.5,
and 1.2, 6.6, respectively). Also associated with injury were several
fireworks misuse behaviors, including lack of adult supervision of children
(OR, 11.5; CI, 2.8, 100.6). We conclude that fireworks cause serious
injuries that theoretically could be prevented by behavioral changes or
decreased availability of high-risk fireworks devices.
