HAZARDS: OFFICIALS URGE CAUTION IN USE OF FIREWORKS

A year ago, the careless use of fireworks was blamed for a house fire in Cape Girardeau.

Seven firefighters battled the fire for about two hours, but the home was declared a total loss.

This week, Cape Girardeau firefighters were called to the scene of a grass fire that had been started by fireworks.

A Cape Girardeau youth narrowly escaped being struck by an errant bottle rocket that had been fired from a passing automobile this week.

At least two juveniles and more than a half-dozen teens have been cited this year for illegal use of fireworks.

In Alabama, a 15-year-old girl was blinded in one eye by a bottle rocket.

In Arkansas, a youth suffered a torn retina when he was struck by an errant bottle rocket.

Cases such these are not unusual. The list of fireworks injuries, fires and use violations is a lengthy one ... and growing.

The colorful glare of rockets bursting in air and the popping of firecrackers are traditional for America's Independence Day celebrations. Every Fourth of July, more fireworks are used than for any other national holiday in the world. They have been a part of Independence Day celebrations since 1776.

"Every year over 12,000 Americans more than half of them children are treated for fireworks injuries," said Tom Hinkebein of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department.

Hinkebein says two groups in Missouri The Missouri Fire Marshall Association and the Missouri Firefighters Association support a ban on bottle rockets and urge adult supervision on other Class C fireworks.

"Bottle rockets create more problems for us than any other Class C fireworks," said Hinkebein. "Several hundred eye injuries are reported nationally from bottle rockets each year. They are also a dangerous fire hazard, especially during extreme dry weather."

Hinkebein said Tuesday morning's rain was welcome. "We'd like to see more wet weather this week," he added. "The biggest days for fireworks are still to come."

Most fireworks dealers agree that a majority of their sales come the final three days leading up to July 4.

"We're urging everyone to use caution," said Hinkebein. "Fireworks are not toys and shouldn't be treated that way. We urge close adult supervision of all fireworks.

"People should select and use only legal fireworks," he added. "Illegal explosive devices can kill or maim."

Locally, the 1992 fireworks season has been relatively injury-free. Fireworks sales started June 20. Cape Girardeau hospitals have had no reports of any fireworks injuries.

Meanwhile, area fireworks sales are brisk.

"Our sales have been good," said Mark Cook, who is operating a Kinder's Fireworks stand on Morgan Oak in Cape Girardeau. Scott Treece, manager of an Ogborn's operation on Morgan Oak agrees. "Sales are brisk," he said.

Both Cook and Treece reject the idea that bottle rockets are safety hazards.

"If people follow the directions, I see no threat with bottle rockets," said Treece.

"I have always been a big fireworks fan," said Cook. "There are already laws governing fireworks sales and the use of fireworks. If they're used as directed, they can be safe."

The American Medical Association (AMA) is urging the nation to save itself a lot of misery by abandoning the public sale of all fireworks.

During the AMA's 1992 policy-making convention, held at Chicago, delegates voted to support federal legislation against the sale of fireworks to the public.

The AMA points out that fireworks for professional displays wouldn't be affected.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology also recommends attending public fireworks displays rather than shooting fireworks at home.

"It would be best if fireworks were illegal nationwide," said ophthalmologist V. Al Pakalnis, who is president of the United States Eye Injury Registry (USEIR), which conducts studies on fireworks injuries. "Every year I see many people, especially children, with serious eye injuries."

A stray bottle rocket is the culprit in 83 percent of the eye injuries, according to a study by the USEIR. "Bottle rocket eye injuries are frequently serious," noted Pakalnis. "One of the USEIR studies estimated that over a five-year period, 1,322 Americans lost sight in one eye due to bottle rocket injuries."

Most fireworks eye injuries involve Class C devices such as firecrackers, sparklers and bottle rockets, which are legal in 30 states, including Missouri.

"A bottle rocket looks innocent, but it's really a miniature unguided missile with an explosive," said Pakalnis.

Sparklers, often thought to be fireworks for "beginners," burn at 1,800 degrees and cast off white-hot particles.