NFL star tackles fireworks safety in new PSA
Almost a year after mangling his right hand in a fireworks accident, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has made a public service announcement about keeping children away from fireworks, and warning everyone to handle the pyrotechnic devices with care.
The announcement was unveiled Thursday at a fireworks safety event in Washington by U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Elliot F. Kaye.
Pierre-Paul lost an index finger and part of his thumb, and was required to have reconstructive surgery to save his middle finger, when a device exploded in his hand on July 4. The two-time Pro Bowler missed half of last season because of the injury, and he struggled using the hand when he returned because he wore a boxing-like glove playing. It limited his ability to grab opponents.
In the public service announcement, there is a reenactment of Pierre-Paul’s accident. He tells Kaye that he lit a device and it blew up almost immediately. It is followed by a picture of his severely damaged hand, another of him in the hospital with his hand bandaged, and one of the football player and his young son.
Pierre-Paul discusses the accident with Kaye and admits he is lucky to be alive.
Their 45-second message to the public is to practice fireworks safety by keeping children away from fireworks, leaving fireworks use to professionals and practicing caution with consumer fireworks.
The announcement was released days before Independence Day because the consumer product safety commission said that 70 percent of all injuries with fireworks occur during the 30 days surrounding the holiday. There were 11 deaths and nearly 12,000 injuries treated in emergency rooms from fireworks in 2015 – the highest number in 15 years, according to the commission.
Fireworks injuries
Thousands of accidents each year underscore the danger of fireworks. In an effort to reduce injuries, Mayo Clinic Health System optometrists and ophthalmologists encourage families to attend their local fireworks displays instead of using fireworks at home.
Fireworks can be especially damaging to your eyes. According to Mayo optometrist Doug Wesely, the makeup of a firework – gunpowder, sulfur and charcoal – is significantly irritating to the eyes. He says 19 percent of fireworks-related injuries affect the eyes.
In the unfortunate event you end up with an eye injury during your Fourth of July fireworks show, Wesely offers these tips:
- Don’t rub. Rubbing your eye may increase bleeding or worsen injury.
- Don’t rinse. Attempting to rinse out your eyes can be even more damaging than rubbing.
- Don’t apply pressure. Keep your hands away from your eyes – you could add more bacteria and irritants by touching your eyes.
- Don’t stop for over-the-counter medication. Instead, head straight to the emergency department.
Mayo Clinic
This story was originally published July 1, 2016 at 1:10 PM with the headline "NFL star tackles fireworks safety in new PSA."