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Donald J. Haarmann
Flushing, NY

JAMA. 1985;253(13):1878.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

To the Editor.—

The American Medical Association (AMA) has long been a proponent of "safe and sane" fireworks¹; however, a recent article by McFarland et al² would, by its poorly thought-out conclusions, seem to work against what is our common cause. By the creative use of statistics the authors have chosen not to simply present results, but to express their opinion that all fireworks are dangerous and, therefore, should be banned.

The figures have been "adjusted" by not separating injuries caused by items banned by federal law since 1976 because of their hazardous nature, from those resulting from the misuse of common (legal) fireworks. Although it is not stated, I would assume that severe and expensive injuries were produced by "ground bombs," large salutes variously called M80s and block-busters, which are sometimes called "fireworks." It seems as though these injuries have been included in an attempt to make . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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