Thursday, 02 July 2009

• Tribute To . . . Fireworks . . . .

  As we approach Independence Day, we think about fireworks.  In my profession as a safety engineer I have a difficult time with fireworks.  This video sums it up as to just one outcome of fireworks.  But I need to explain some things behind my apprehension with fireworks.

  As a safety engineer I have a slightly different outlook on life.  I tend to look at things as I evaluate hazards and plan accordingly.  Many of my neighbors probably think that I a little weird in that I wear sturdy shoes, long pants and shirt, and hearing protection while mowing my lawn.  I wear safety glasses most of the time when I am doing stuff around the house.  I am very cautious about anything I approach.  The reason?  Besides being a safety engineer, I lost the use of my right eye from an accident in the Navy.  So I am a walking example of accidents.

  So lets rewind about fifteen years ago or so.  I took my family (wife D, son P and daughter K) back to St. Louis, Missouri to spend Independence Day back home.  This also turned into one of those few times that all of us were together as a family.  All of the kids ranged from about five years old to nine years old. 

  One evening, the older of my two little sisters decided that we would set off some fireworks.  I am a firm believer that fireworks should be set off by trained professionals (the closest thing we had to a trained professional was my little brother who was a noncom in the Army and he was far more interested in real explosives).  I had the kids sit back a ways from "launch site" to keep them safe.  However, most of the other adults told them that they should be closer to fully enjoy the display.  So I stood close so I could try to avert a situation if I could.  About half way through the hundreds of dollars of fireworks, the bottle holding a lit bottle rocket tipped over.  The rocket went right into the small crowd of kids exploding in the middle of the group.  I heard the screams but could not immediately locate which child was hit.  Sorting through the group (more like throwing the uninjured kids to each side) I finally located my injured niece . . . it hit her in the face and exploded.  I carried her into the house and into the kitchen to apply cold water to her burn.  My wife D brought me some aloe gel to apply to the burn.  Luckily her eyes were unharmed.  She sat in my lap and we watched the remainder of the fireworks from the safety of the living room.

  So, why the story?  And why the video?  I know that telling kids and adults to leave fireworks alone is a futile expression so I figured that I should at least warn everyone about how to set off fireworks.  First of all, a bucket of water (I prefer a charged garden hose) and a fire extinguisher can reduce the amount of damage that a fire can cause.  A first aid kit and aloe gel (or some other burn ointment) needs to be nearby.  Next, always wear safety glasses to protect your most precious commodity . . . your eyesight.  Finally, use common sense when playing with these underpowered explosives.  Do not "light and throw" because the fuses could be much faster than you realize.  Watch for kids and other hazards.

  Beyond this . . . enjoy the holiday.

   

  • 9:38 PM
  • 4 Views
  • 2 eProps
  • 1 Comment