With the Fourth of July holiday officially here, there are some important reminders for safety as it relates to using fireworks. 

Perry Fire Chief Chris Hinds says with legalization of fireworks in Iowa there is an increased availability of fireworks which can lead to more injuries. Hinds explains how some fireworks can create a common, but severe injury if not done properly. 

“One of the most serious injuries that result from fireworks are an abrupt trauma to the eye and that generally comes from bottle rockets. Injuries from bottle rockets can include eyelid lacerations, corneal abrasions, traumatic cataract, retinal detachments, optic nerve damage, rupture the eyeball, eye muscle damage and complete blindness. As safe as bottle rockets may sound, they are very dangerous especially if you are just playing with them.”

Hinds tells Raccoon Valley Radio to seek immediate help if you injure your eye and do not put anything into the eye or put any pressure onto the injured eye. 

Hinds talks about another common injury with a novelty firework.

“Sparklers account for one-third of all fireworks injuries and sparklers can burn at nearly two-thousand degrees Fahrenheit which is hot enough to melt gold. That’s really hot so if a child gets touched with a burning sparkler that is a very deep and serious burn to their skin.”

Hinds reminds people that fireworks should be used properly and children should always be supervised if they are using or viewing fireworks. Also, fireworks are only allowed to be set off in Perry City Limits from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4th.