Treating firework injuries
Identification of the type of injury sustained, how to treat them and emergency contact numbers – all available here.
Things can go wrong when you’re handling dangerous objects such as fireworks and prevention is always better than cure. So be prepared …
Wes Siler has great medical advice for those who find themselves or someone close to them injured while using fireworks. He demonstrated how to identify and treat different firework wounds.
Minor burns:
Signs to look for to identify this type of injury: Red, painful areas, perhaps with a small blister or blisters.
Treatment:
• Run the wound under cool water for no less than 10 minutes. Do so immediately.
• Remove any jewellery or clothing from the area while running it under the water.
• After this, cover the wound with cling wrap or anything similar to protect the sensitive area. Never use bandages because they stick to the wound and might cause more damage when removed.
• Apply Aloe Vera gel or any similar soothing cream. Do so only with minor injuries.
• If the injury is greater than this, refer to the next section of the article.
Major burns:
Signs to look for to identify this type of injury: Deep burns, with significant blistering and damage to the skin, frequently the result of burning clothing or direct exposure to flame.
Treatment:
• Start by immediately running cool water over the burn. If a large area is affected, use a garden hose or cool shower to cool off the entire wound.
• For paramedic assistance, call 084 124 for ER24; 0812 777 777 for Quick Response Service (QRS); 082 911 for Netcare 911, or call any other ambulance service. If you’re unable to reach an ambulance, take the victim to the ER immediately using your own transport.
• Take all clothing or jewellery off the affected area, but only if it’s not stuck to the wound.
• Cover the wound with sterile, protective dressing such as plastic cling film. Don’t use any cloth or bandage.
Treating amputations:
Fireworks occasionally cost people their fingers or toes. Prompt medical treatment can reattach them.
• Call an ambulance immediately. Call 084 124 for ER24; 0812 777 777 for Quick Response Service (QRS); or 082 911 for Netcare 911, or call any other ambulance service. If you’re unable to reach an ambulance take the victim to the ER immediately, using your own transport.
• Lie the victim down and elevate the injured body part.
• Remove any visible foreign objects.
• Apply direct pressure to the wound for 15 minutes to stop bleeding.
• If possible, retrieve the amputated finger or toe and rinse (don’t scrub) it clean, then wrap it in a clean, damp cloth and make sure it goes to the hospital with the victim. Don’t place the digit on ice – this will damage the blood vessels and make reattachment difficult.
Treating shock:
• Lie the victim (or yourself) down with feet raised slightly higher than head.
• If the person’s not breathing, start administering CPR.
• Loosen clothing for comfort, but keep warm with a blanket.
• If vomiting or bleeding from the mouth, turn victim on his/ her side.
Treating eye injuries:
If the eyeball is punctured, pulled out of the socket or burned, you’ll need to protect it (cupping a hand over the area works very well) and get the victim immediate medical attention. If it’s just a minor irritation, you can treat it yourself.
• Never attempt to pop an eyeball back into its socket – leave that to the professionals.
• Flush the eye with sterile saline solution or clean water.
• Examine the eye under a bright light and continue to flush it until all foreign objects are washed out.
• Seek medical treatment if vision is impaired or an object has penetrated the eye’s surface.
For more information, visit https://gizmodo.com/first-aid-how-to-treat-fireworks-related-burns-and-in-1598181074
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
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