Fireworks are a part of the American celebration of July 4. Just like hot dogs and US Flags, fireworks are a hallmark of the celebration of our Independence and the birth of the United States of America.  And by the way, this blog brings you FLASS best wishes for a Happy and Safe July 4, 2019.

However, this blog is full of cautions for our patients and friends.  We are also using this blog to post some fireworks safety alerts for you and your family.  July 4 is a thrilling, grilling, fun time for picnics, barbecues, cook-outs, parades, and parties.

Celebrate a Safe and Healthy July 4

Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists bring you advice for July 4 Fireworks safety.

It’s a time to feel delighted in the liberty and freedom that is part of the legacy of this country.  However, this is also a time of year that causes doctors and healthcare professionals to stress over your safety due to—you guessed it—July 4 fireworks.

Warnings against Fireworks from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

 

The American Academy of Pediatrics participates in of the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, a group of health and safety organizations that urges the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and to only enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.

The doctors and healthcare professionals of FLASS have joined the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in a continuing crusade against fireworks.

We publish this blog to urge families to avoid buying fireworks for their own or their children’s use.  You would probably never buy July 4 fireworks if you ever hung around an Emergency Room for a few hours on July 3 or 4 of any year in the US.

We Propose an Alternative to Consumer Fireworks

 

Lest you think we are not patriotic due to our dislike of commercial fireworks, let us tell you that we highly recommend you take your family to one of Orlando’s numerous professional fireworks displays.  Watching these pyrotechnical displays staged by professionals is far safer for your family.  And the outing will be more fun and less stressful than anything you could create in your backyard.

Consumer Fireworks:  A Healthy Dose of Truth:

You see, fireworks injure thousands of people every year.  And what’s worse, victims of consumer fireworks accidents are typically children and teens. We do not believe people quite realize the risks:

  • With unprofessional use of consumer fireworks, people can get deeply burned, or wounded by shrapnel.
  • Indeed, about 8,008 people ended up with serious injuries after playing with July 4 fireworks.  They probably wish they had never bought them last year.

​Consumer Fireworks Safety Tips for Families:

 

  • Be more aware that consumer Fireworks can result in severe burns, blindness, scars and even death.
  • Did you know sparklers, can reach temperatures above 1000°Fahrenheit? No wonder they can burn users and bystanders. They’re supposed to be very safe. They are designed for the July 4 fairy princesses and Harry Potter Wizards. However, these toddler-oriented fiery toys can leave scars for life.

We repeat a special sparkler caution from one of our previous blogs:

“Gold sparklers are accepted as the hottest sparkler available. There is less filler and no color pigments added to gold sparklers to cause lower temperatures. These are typically labeled as wedding sparklers or metal wire sparklers, and come in a variety of sizes. Though the length and girth of the sparkler can affect its overall temperature, they typically have a temperature of around 2400° Fahrenheit.”

Fairy God Mothers Might Not Know The Truth about Sparklers

 

And these sparklers are specially designed for children.  They are also very appealing to little girls in fluffy fairy wings?  That’s pretty horrifying. Thoughts of that tender toddler skin and that white hot wire are enough to give nightmares to the health professionals here at Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists.

Besides, here in Orlando, we could not have a better alternative to family-bought fireworks than the professional fireworks displays in Central Florida.

There are multiple community fireworks displays in our area.  Most of these are created by pyrotechnical geniuses.  We are sure they will provide more thrills and chills than you could ever create in your backyard.

Thus, we advise you to attend only the July 4 fireworks displays run by professionals.  Then, you do not risk the danger of fireworks at home.

FLASS recommends prohibiting the public sale of all fireworks, including those by mail or the Internet.​​  We hope you and your family retain all the fun on the 4th of July but leave the fireworks shows up to the professionals.

Fireworks, Particulate Matter, Asthma and More July 4 Triggers

Sparklers are Dangerous

Did you know that sparklers can burn at 2400 degrees F?

And we hope you attend that pyrotechnical show from a nice distance.  We repeat “from a nice distance.)  Why?  Because fireworks make smoke and small particulate matter.  Plus, as pulmonary health professionals, we warn you that consumer fireworks and even professional shows can trigger asthma or other respiratory diseases.

This brings us to the section of this blog we call July 4 Triggers.  The four typical ones we list almost every year for July 4 parties are Smoke, Pollen, Summer Scents and Sand Castles. At least one of these common triggers is probably surprising to you, so read on.

1.  Stay Away From The Fireworks

 

  • You might already know that smoke and particulate matter are triggers for asthma. Thus, if you or your child has asthma, watch your firework displays from an indoor location or a far distance.
  • If you can’t resist the fireworks, consider wearing a NIOSH N95 rated filter mask to keep smoke out of your lungs.  And always carry your inhaler.”
  • At the American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology (ACAAI), the experts put it this way.  “Fireworks and campfires are a staple of the 4th of July.  But smoke can cause asthma symptoms to flare.  Allergists recommend keeping your distance from campfires. – and if you have to be near one, sit upwind if possible.

2.    “Unholy Smoke, Batman! Don’t Breathe”

 

The above saying is an actual quote from an ancient Batman Comic.  Although we can’t say July 4 Smoke comes from one of Robin’s unholy Super Villains, it might act like it does.

  • Simple Smoke from Barbecues or Fire Pits can overcome an asthmatic patient almost before you know what is happening
  • Just Like fireworks, smoke from fires such as barbecues, bonfires or fire pits can also trigger asthma.
  • Our advice, if you attend a cook-out party for Independence Day, avoid the path of the smoke.  Likewise, we remind you to avoid those Tiki Torches like the plague.
  • Just like an innocent campfire, Tiki torches can trigger a reaction.

3.    July 4 Pollen Alert for Asthma Sufferers

 

Okay, you might say, so those of us with asthma must avoid fire and smoke during the July 4 Holiday.  What else is going to get us?  Our answer involves the tiniest asthma offenders of the summer, pollen.

Grass pollens proliferate in many regions of the US right now.  “The top pollen in many areas during the summer is grass pollen. In northern regions of the United States.  These grasses usually pollinate in the late spring or early summer.”
Here is a special geographical note: “In southern regions, grasses may pollinate throughout many seasons and could trigger symptoms throughout the year.”

3.    The Sweet, Quiet Trigger:  Scents at Parties

 

July 4 celebrations.  Asthma triggers include all kinds of summer scents. We know you might have noticed that people tend to wear more beauty products and colognes during the summer.  And at a party, they could ignite your asthma through allergic reactions.

At any July 4 party, scented candles and anti-insect citronella candles also pollute the air and trigger asthma.

4. A Mysterious Effect of Sand Castles:

 

If you are spending July 4 at the beach, we want you to know that statistics show that there is a hazard to digging in the sand.  And this warning is not just for asthmatics.  Anyone who digs in the sand has 13% more chance of stomach flu-like symptoms than those who do not dig. Thus, if you know you have asthma we remind you to pack your inhaler and your hand sanitizer.  Or don’t dig!

Fireworks: Stay Happy and Safe on July 4, 2019!

After Sand Castle Building:  Healthy Rituals

 

Plus, whether you have asthma or not, use the sanitizer before you eat your picnic or touch your face after you have built that sand castle.

Now you know about all these the dangers of consumer fireworks and the typical July 4 asthma triggers. So, go out there and have a fabulous, safe and healthy celebration!

One Special Thought for Our July 4 Celebration:

Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists wishes you a Happy Independence Day!  Other than fireworks, food, and fun,

July 4 represents a deep and abiding love for this country and its spirit of independence.

We think President Ronald Reagan summed it up well with these words, especially appropriate for our Independence Day readers.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”