These injuries threaten on New Year's Eve - and so protect yourself from it

Every year there is permanent damage from firecrackers

Every year on New Year's Eve there are serious injuries from firecrackers. Especially often the hands are affected, which can sustain permanent damage from a pressure injury or burning. While one might think responsible handling of firecrackers and firecrackers is a matter of common sense, the number of serious injuries that occur each year paint a different picture.

The German Society for Hand Surgery (DGH) and the German Society for Orthopedics and Traumatology (DGOU) call in a joint press release for more responsibility in dealing with Böllern and fireworks on New Year's Eve. The medical societies warn that every year people incur permanent injuries and disabilities on New Year's Eve.

Please do not imitate: Fireworks that explode in your hand can cause lifelong impairments. (Image: complize | m.martins / fotolia.com)

Burns, fractures, severed fingers

"Patients come with severed fingers, burns, fractures and soft tissue injuries on their hands," warns Professor Dr. Andreas Eisenschenk from the accident hospital Berlin. Again and again there are serious injuries when fireworks explode directly on the body. Even with immediate medical help and successful interventions, it can not be guaranteed that permanent damage will result from such injuries. Especially in the hand, the interaction of muscles, tendons, nerves and bones is extremely complex. Injuries caused by fireworks could permanently damage the gripping, holding, the sensory abilities, the feeling and also the sense of touch.

Responsibility is the best protection

"The best protection against accidents is the responsible use of fireworks," says Professor Dr. Joachim Windolf, Director of the Department of Trauma and Hand Surgery at the University Hospital Dusseldorf. With simple rules, most accidents involving fireworks could be avoided. The best way to use only Böller that does not even have to be ignited in hand, advises the professor. Especially young people should take care of New Year's Eve. They are particularly often affected by serious injuries.

So when Böllern (as good as) nothing can go wrong

The professional societies give tips for a safe handling of the fireworks on New Year's Eve:

• Do not manipulate Böller or make it yourself,
• only use products with CE mark and BAM test number,
• do not experiment with firecrackers,
• Do not carry Böller around on your body,
• Close fireworks and store at a safe distance,
• Do not detonate duds again,
• It is best to drink little or no alcohol before the fireworks.

What to do if something happens

Should a hand injury nevertheless occur, a clinic with proven hand surgery should be visited as soon as possible. "In Germany, there are 44 specially equipped clinics, which are accredited as hand trauma center," recommend the professional societies. These hand trauma centers specialize in the treatment of severe hand injuries and could provide emergency care around the clock. Until arrival at a clinic, the hand should be connected as sterile as possible.

Do not store separated fingers in the ice

Contrary to popular belief, the professional societies make it clear that severed fingers should never be cooled by ice. This would make a re-sewing of the finger impossible. (Vb)