Before the Health Blog heads off for the Fourth of July weekend, we offer a reminder about this holiday’s big downside: firework-related injuries. Some 70% of such injuries last year occurred between June 20 and July 20, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission . There were nine firework-related deaths and 7,000 injuries in 2008, down from 11 deaths and 9,800 injuries the year before, says that the CPSC. (See here for more history.) Half of these type of injuries are burns, according to the Centers for Disease Control . Hands and fingers are the most vulnerable body parts. For tips to prevent firework injuries, click the CPSC link or these

from the National Council on Firework Safety . Highlights: Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, because it could mean the fireworks were made for professional displays. Don’t try to re-light fireworks that haven’t gone off properly. Light fireworks one at a time and don’t set them off in metal or glass containers. Douse fireworks with water after they’ve gone off to prevent trash fires. For a walk down memory lane to check out the Health Blog’s other Fourth of July posts, see here and here . Image: Centers for Disease Control

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