Insurance Insights ~ July 2000

Celebrate the Fourth! (But do it safely)

According to PREVENT BLINDNESS AMERICA, nearly 13,000 fireworks victims keep hospitals busy every year. More than half of those injured are children. Fireworks not only injure users, but also 40 percent of fireworks mishaps injure bystanders.

The three types of fireworks that keep hospital emergency rooms busy during this holiday period are bottle rockets, firecrackers, and sparklers. Bottle rockets and firecrackers can fly in any direction prior to exploding and sparklers burn at temperatures hot enough to melt gold.

One of the reasons fireworks injuries continue to occur is because people just don't consider how dangerous these devices can be. People often don't realize - until they are injured - that the risk of blindness or injury outweighs the excitement of taking risks with fireworks. And giving fireworks to young children can mean a trip to the hospital emergency room.

Do you know your firework safety? Take the test below and find out. Choose from either True or False. Answers and explanations will follow the quiz.

1. Firework injuries can only occur during the Fourth of July.
2. Sparklers are safe fireworks and can be given to children.
3. Gunpowder is a major ingredient in most types of fireworks.
4. Only people who are careless or unsupervised are injured from fireworks.
5. Only people who set off fireworks risk injuries.
6. Males are more likely to get hurt from fireworks.
7. Bottle rockets are not dangerous because they're just firecrackers tied to a stick.
8. Homemade fireworks are safer than store bought fireworks.
9. Using fireworks is an inexpensive way to celebrate the Fourth of July.
10. My state bans fireworks.

Answers

1. FALSE. While most fireworks injuries do occur during the July 4th holiday, many injuries also happen during Labor Day, New Years Eve, Christmas, and Mardi Gras.
2. FALSE. Sparklers are the second highest cause of fireworks injuries that require hospitalization. Most of these injuries occur among preschool-age children. Sparklers are dangerous because they burn at a temperature hot enough to melt gold (1,800 degrees F!).
3. TRUE. Most fireworks contain gunpowder, which causes these devices to explode. Class C fireworks (e.g. firecrackers) are legal in many states and contain up to 50 mg. of gunpowder. Anything higher and the fireworks may be compared to an explosive bomb.
4. FALSE. Because fireworks are unpredictable, injuries can occur even if the person is careful or under supervision. The best way to avoid injury is not to use fireworks.
5. FALSE. When it comes to fireworks, no one is safe! Prevent blindness estimates that nearly 40 percent of fireworks injuries are to bystanders.
6. TRUE. Men and boys are the most frequent users of fireworks. That's why four out of every five fireworks injuries happen to males. Men between the ages of 22-44 and boys ages 12-14 are the most common victims.
7. FALSE. Bottle Rockets are among the most dangerous fireworks available today. They account for the majority of all fireworks injuries that lead to permanent eye damage. Bottle Rockets can move as fast as 200 miles per hour, explode in mid air, and fly in any direction.
8. FALSE. Homemade fireworks are often more hazardous. Those who make their own fireworks tend to combine the chemicals from other devices to create a bigger -- and more dangerous -- explosion.
9. FALSE. The cost of treating a fireworks injury far outweighs the cost of a single fireworks package, which is $2.00. The average hospital emergency room charges approximately $80 for one visit. This price does not include the cost families must pay for possible permanent injury, physical therapy, or blindness.
10. The answer depends on where you live. Only 11 states ban all types of fireworks; six states allow sparklers and/or snakes; 29 including the District of Columbia, allow class C fireworks; and two have no fireworks laws at all. Fireworks are allowed in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.

About the Author:

Dr. Jeffrey G. Strauss served his fellowship in cataract surgery at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, & Throat Hospital and completed his residency in opthalmology at Ochsner Foundation Hospital and Clinic. Dr. Strauss received his M.D. degree from the state university of New York with honors in opthalmology, family medicine, psychiatry, and biochemistry.

Permission to reprint granted by Jeffrey G. Strauss, M.D, courtesy of Straus Eye Center and Prevent Blindness America. 3434 Houma Blvd. Suite 300 New Orleans, LA 70006 (504)888-7100

Safety for the Road

Whether you are going to run a few errands around town, or leaving for a vacation destination, you want a safe arrival at your destination. Following are some safe driving tips to make your trip a success:

1. PRE-PLAN your trip. Get directions, check traffic conditions for your route, and consider the weather. If traveling in an unfamiliar area, allow some extra time for the trip.
2. BUCKLE UP! People who wear seat belts are about half as likely to die in a traffic accident as people who do not. Most states have seat belt laws, and as a driver you are responsible for the passengers in your auto. Keep your passengers safe while avoiding a citation!
3. OBEY traffic laws and signals. By allowing yourself a comfortable amount of time to reach your destination you will not need to rush through a yellow light or surpass the posted speed limit. This avoids two common causes of accidents or violations. (In addition to injury, these occurrences will surely make you late to your destination!)
4. BE ALERT. This is two-fold advice. First, do not start out if you are tired or drowsy. Being sleepy while driving is dangerous, because your reaction time and awareness is decreased and judgement is impaired. Second, let driving be the only thing you are doing. Phone conversations, arguing, checking on the kids or changing the radio can draw your focus away from the road. You may miss a slowing or stopped auto, possible obstructions in the roadway or a pedestrian stepping into the traffic lane.
5. DRIVE COURTEOUSLY. Remember to use your signals early, and make sure you have enough room before switching lanes or making a turn. Allow an adequate amount of space between you and the car in front of you – don’t tailgate. By using courtesy you can avoid agitating another driver, which will avoid a case of Road Rage.
6. TAKE CARE OF YOUR AUTO. By keeping your auto maintained you avoid the risk of breaking down and placing yourself in danger of passing autos. Also, hanging bumpers, dangling mufflers or unsecured loads can come lose, causing an accident.

Your personal driving habits can have an affect on the lives of your family, friends, and those sharing the road with you. Please make the choice to practice safe driving everyday.

National Night Out Against Crime -- Tuesday, August 1, 2000

The "17th Annual National Night Out" (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), and your local town watch organization, will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2000.

The National Night Out campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from 9,420 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:

1. Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
2. Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
3. Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
4. Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Along with the traditional display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, cities, towns and neighborhoods 'celebrate' National Night Out with a variety of events and activities such as: block parties, cookouts, visits from local police, parades, flashlight walks, contests and youth programs.

National Night Out has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our fight for a safer nation. Plus, the benefits your community will derive from National Night Out will most certainly extend well beyond the one night.

You can obtain additional information about National Night Out from your local Town Watch organization. Information is also available online at: http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno.html.

INSURANCE INSIGHTS is an electronic newsletter published monthly by G. C. Weimer Associates, Inc. Information contained herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief as of 7/1/2000. If you have a topic of interest for a future issue, e-mail us at info@gcwinsure.com.