Just because you’re celebrating our nation’s Independence doesn’t mean you need to come away from the Fourth with war wounds.

Tuesday, July 03, 2001

Just because you’re celebrating our nation’s Independence doesn’t mean you need to come away from the Fourth with war wounds. Local doctors say leave the at-home fireworks alone this year for a safe Fourth of July.

Even though all fireworks are illegal in Minnesota, the Albert Lea Medical Center usually sees a handful of injuries each year near the Fourth of July, said Emergency Room Physician Dr. Steven Wiese.

&uot;We’ve had our fair share of nasty fireworks injuries,&uot; he said.

The most common injuries are superficial burns to the hands and face, but more severe injuries are not unknown in the area, he said. Last year, a patient came to the emergency room after a firecracker went off sooner than he expected, blowing off part of his hand.

Most serious injuries come from bigger fireworks like bottle rockets or Roman candles, but &uot;kiddie&uot; fireworks like sparklers can also be dangerous, as they burn at extremely hot temperatures, he said.

&uot;I would say there are no safe fireworks,&uot; Wiese said.

Many injuries are caused by poor judgment when inexperienced young people or impaired adults take risks with fireworks, Wiese said. But all fireworks are unpredictable and dangerous.

&uot;I think they’re cheaply made,&uot; he said. &uot;Sometimes it kind of fizzles for a little bit and you think it’s not going to go off, then you walk up to it and – poof!&uot;

Parents might be unpopular for a while if they don’t allow their children to set off a few rounds of firecrackers to celebrate Independence Day, but it is the right thing to do, he said.

&uot;I think if you were a responsible parent, you would treat this the same as a child that is drinking or doing something else illegal,&uot; he said.