Worldwide, thousands of people end up in emergency rooms every year due to injuries caused by fireworks. Although pyrotechnics create a festive atmosphere, they are as dangerous as they are spectacular. In cases of negligence, injuries can range from mild burns to severe, life-threatening damage.
The most common injury is burns, accounting for two-thirds of all cases. 40% of injuries occur on the hands and wrists, as people often ignite fireworks while holding them or fail to release them in time. The force of the explosion is so great that it can cause bone fractures, limb dismemberment, or complete skin degloving.
In addition to limbs, head and face injuries are frequent. Close-range explosions cause hearing loss, including tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and ruptured eardrums.
Eye injuries are particularly alarming. Every year in the UK alone, 10 people completely lose their sight, while hundreds of others sustain severe damage. Sometimes, firework fragments penetrate soft tissues or even blood vessels, creating critical threats to the respiratory tract and, ultimately, to life.
A special mention should be made of sparklers, which many consider safe. In reality, they burn at temperatures up to 1000°C, which is ten times hotter than boiling water. Most victims of these injuries are children under the age of 5. Their delicate skin is far more sensitive to high temperatures, and the ignition of synthetic clothing can lead to severe body burns.
Environment and Animals
The harmful effects of pyrotechnics extend beyond immediate physical trauma to humans. Their use releases heavy metals and toxic substances that cause irreparable damage to the environment and living beings.
Animals have much more sensitive hearing than humans; therefore, the sound of an explosion is unbearable and disorienting for them.
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Pets: Most dogs and cats experience panic and fear. Every year, thousands of pets run away from home due to the noise, and many die from heart attacks.
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Wildlife: Birds, frightened by the noise and lights, often lose their orientation, collide with buildings, or fly so far from their nests that they die of exhaustion.
When fireworks explode, various types of particles are released into the air. For example, perchlorates eventually settle in the soil and poison water resources. Heavy metals such as barium, copper, and strontium remain in the air for long periods and cause respiratory problems. As a result, on New Year’s Eve, air pollution levels in many cities often exceed the permissible norm tenfold.
Regulation of Pyrotechnics in Georgia
It is noteworthy that the use of pyrotechnics in Georgia is strictly regulated by law. According to the Code of Administrative Offenses, the sale of pyrotechnic products to minors (persons under 18) is prohibited, with substantial fines imposed on both physical and legal entities.
Additionally, noise regulations are in effect, prohibiting the use of pyrotechnics during night hours (23:00 to 08:00), except on designated days such as New Year’s Eve (from 21:00 on December 31 to 09:00 on January 2) and January 14. Violations of the law entail monetary fines, and in cases of repeated offenses, the fine is doubled and the inventory is confiscated.
In Georgia, only Category I, II, and III pyrotechnics are permitted for civilians. These include low-hazard products: sparklers (“Bengal lights”), firecrackers, and small-scale fireworks intended for open spaces. All of them must be accompanied by instructions in the Georgian language. As for Category IV (professional) pyrotechnics, they are prohibited for ordinary citizens and can only be used by certified specialists.
For safety purposes, specialists recommend wearing natural fabric clothing that covers as much skin as possible when using pyrotechnics. Synthetics melt and stick to the body in case of fire, doubling the damage. It is important to use protective goggles and gloves when launching fireworks and to keep children under constant supervision.
However, the best way to protect yourself, animals, and nature is to refuse pyrotechnics and use more modern, safe alternatives, such as laser shows.
