15/12/2010

Halloween Fireworks' Injuries Rising

Injuries caused by fireworks in NI over Halloween increased this year, with more casualties reported - with many of the incidents involving children.

Figures from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) on Wednesday revealed that almost 50 people reported to an emergency care department with a firework related injury.

The DHSSPS statistics cover the 17th October to 14th November and detail information on the date of the incident, age of the person injured, nature of injury, location of the incident, type of firework, and the method of departure from the emergency care department.

The 47 persons who reported to an emergency care department with a firework related injury was 17 more than in 2009, but was 22 less than in 2006 and 50 less than in 2007.

Almost two thirds (29) of those injured were aged under 18 and 83% of those injured were male.

Those at A&E registered a total of 51 firework related injuries. The most common site of injury was to the wrist or hand - at 41% of all injuries.

Follow-up attendances at emergency care departments and attendances at minor injuries units on referral from emergency care departments are not included.

(BMcC/GK)

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