Investigation Guideline

Appendix 109
June 1, 1992
FIREWORKS
I.

INTRODUCTION

A.

Background Information

CPSC mandatory regulations on fireworks have been in effect
since 1976. In 1992, CPSC has a project to gather data to
evaluate the effectiveness of the current regulations. Data
analysis will be in Fiscal Year 1993.
Estimates indicated that hospital emergency room treated
fireworks-related injuries have remained relatively stable over
the last decade. An estimated 11,200 injuries associated with
fireworks were treated in hospital emergency rooms during 1991.
About three-fourths of these, 8,100, occurred during the
one-month period surrounding July 4. More than two-thirds of the
injuries involved fireworks devices covered by CPSC's
regulations, small firecrackers and other common fireworks.
In spite of the required labeling for fireworks ("use only
under adult supervision"), over half the injuries (55 percent)
were to children under age 15. Altogether children and teenagers
accounted for about 65 percent of the injuries, while 24 percent
of the total injuries were among people in the 25 - 44 year age
group. Children 10-14 years old suffered the highest rate of
fireworks-related injuries per 100,000 population.
B.

Specific Items of Interest

We are interested in determining the specific kinds of
fireworks that are causing injuries and evaluating whether the
product met current fireworks regulations. On-site
investigations will be requested on a number of these incidents,
particularly where the fireworks may not have operated as
intended or expected, or where child misuse was involved. In
these cases, samples of similar fireworks (preferably from the
same package) need to be collected so that malfunctions related
to the injury can be tested. Given the transient nature of many
places that sell fireworks, immediate contact is crucial. If the
consumer does not have any item like the one causing the injury,
try to obtain samples from the same location. (You should obtain
18 units.) Of particular interest are incidents involving early
or delayed ignition of fireworks. (The current regulation
specifies an acceptable fuse burn time of 3 to 6 seconds.)
Specify the type and overall length of the fuse, describe how and
for how long the fuse burned before the device functioned.
Describe any difficulty in getting far enough away before the
fireworks exploded.

Also, we particularly are interested in learning how
children under age 15 are injured. Were they using the fireworks
properly; were they appropriately supervised; are they
bystanders? Bear in mind that the ultimate question of interest
is whether it is possible to change the regulation(s) in a way
that could have prevented this injury. To this end, we want to
determine the extent to which either product malfunction or
misuse is involved.

II.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COLLECTING SPECIFIC INFORMATION

A.

Synopsis

Provide a brief summary of the accident sequence. Describe
the product in detail. Indicate the factors that contributed to
the accident, such as product malfunction, condition of product
prior to use (i.e., fuse loose, deformed, or broken casing/base),
lack of adult supervision, lack of knowledge about how the
product functions, cautionary labeling, body position relative to
lighting the device, peer group pranks, and type of ground
surface (smooth, rough, paved, grass, etc.).
For data retrieval from the computer, please be sure the
following key words are used in the synopsis as appropriate:
malfunction/tipover/early ignition/delayed ignition/held in
hand/misuse.
B.

Description of Victim Contact with Product

Describe the accident scenario, including how all injuries
or deaths were incurred. Use diagrams or photographs
(reconstruction) as appropriate to illustrate the victim's
involvement with the fireworks during the incident, including the
victim's distance from the fireworks. If the victim was injured
while lighting the device, include his body position relative to
lighting the fireworks when the accident occurred. (Did he bend
over, or stoop down to light it?) Describe any difficulty in
getting far enough away before the fireworks exploded. Indicate
whether the victim was the user of the device or a bystander,
etc. and has familiarity with the product. If he was holding it
in his hand when it exploded, describe the circumstances (e.g.,
did he intend to throw it?). Describe victim's previous
experience with this type of device and fireworks in general.

C.

Description of Product

·

Determine the product name, manufacturer/brand name or
label, point of origin, and retailer (place of
purchase). Copy all marking. Indicate the type of
fireworks as specifically as possible and describe the
design (i.e., ball shaped, cone shaped, etc.), the
composition (made from paper, cardboard, plastic,
styrofoam, etc.), size in inches, and number of devices
sold in a package. Diagrams with measurements are
suggested.

·

Indicate whether there was a cautionary label on the
individual fireworks, on the retail box or carton, or
on any other devices which assists in the operation of
the fireworks (e.g., the launcher tube sold with Type
H, reloadable shell fireworks). Copy all labeling and
indicate its location.

·

Describe
the fuse
fuse was
appeared
device.

·

Determine if there was a problem lighting the fuse.

·

Indicate if the fireworks device operated sooner (early
ignition) or later (delayed ignition) than expected
after lighting. Did it burn more quickly than others
that were lit previously? Did the fuse burn
irregularly, etc.? Determine the length of time the
consumer expected and why (e.g., previous ones lit took
a longer time to function).

·

Indicate any other peculiarities after lighting the
fireworks device (i.e., exploded in hand, tipover.

·

If product was a reloadable shell, specify shell
diameter (preferably as marked on its box).

·

If product was a missile or rocket, describe the size
and configuration of its base, or attached stick.
Determine if the stick was straight or bent.

·

Indicate if fragments that hit the ground were still
burning.

·

Indicate if product was homemade or whether it was an
item being used as part of a public display. If
fireworks were used by members of the audience at such
a display, it is not considered part of the public
display.

the fireworks fuse if available. Determine
length, its color, and indicate whether the
securely attached. Indicate if the fireworks
to have leaked powder prior to lighting the

D.

Description of Victim

·

Indicate the victim's age, sex, height, and any
competence-reducing factors (e.g., impaired vision,
physical handicaps, medication, alcohol, etc.) that may
have been present at the time of the accident.

·

Describe how the victim was clothed at the time of the
accident (including protective goggles that may have
been worn).

·

Describe the nature and extent of the injuries, with
special attention to the points of impact (and if
possible, the sequence of impact) and the body parts
involved. Indicate the body part(s) treated, and the
type of treatment received. If a head injury was
involved, find out if the victim lost consciousness or
felt any dizziness, nausea, or headaches. Determine
length of hospital stay and if there were any lasting
or permanent effects due to the accident (i.e.,
permanent loss of sight, amputation). Include medical
records of treatment, including hospital records, ER
records, and records of subsequent treatment received,
particularly for head, eye, and other serious injuries.
If death occurred, obtain medical examiner, coroner, or
other relevant reports.

·

Determine if there were any injured bystanders nearby
at the time of the accident. If so, describe the
nature and extent of the injuries incurred by the
bystanders.

E.

Description of Environment

·

Indicate the time of day of the accident, and the
amount of daylight or other lighting present.

·

Describe the weather conditions at the time of the
accident, including temperature, precipitation, and
visibility.

·

Report the location of the accident (e.g., home yard or
driveway, sidewalk, school yard, park, recreation
center playground, field, public display area).

·

Report the surface (level or sloped) and surface type
and condition (i.e., hard cement, wet slippery grass,
sandy clay court, rocky field, etc.)

III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING AND DIAGRAMING
FIREWORKS AND ACCIDENT SEQUENCE

Obtain color photographs of the types of fireworks to
illustrate the construction design, labeling, instructions, and
features of particular interest. Attempt to reconstruct the
accident situation. Include measurements of the distance(s) the
victim was from the fireworks when it exploded (the location of
the fireworks components, just prior to and at the time of
impact), and the position of the head and body at the time of the
impact if the incident occurred while lighting. Diagram product
configuration, stand, etc., with measurements.
IV.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING DOCUMENTS AND SAMPLES
RELATED TO FIREWORKS INVESTIGATIONS AND SHIPPING

Obtain a copy of the fire department report if the fireworks
started a structural fire. If a serious injury or death
occurred, obtain a copy of the casualty and hospital reports.
Collect multiple units of the fireworks as a sample (18
units if possible) in every case possible. Specify whether the
product was obtained from the consumer or purchased at a
stand/store.
All samples should be sent in the approved Department of
Transportation (DOT) 12-B box via Federal Express to:
ATTN: Neil Gasser
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Health Sciences Laboratory
9620 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, MD 20850
Place the fireworks sample in a plastic bag and seal it before
mailing. If the device contains pyrotechnic material, i.e, it
only partially functioned or is one of several identical devices,
apply a DOT Class C Fireworks shipping label to the box.
The Sample Collection Report should always specify:
·

The task number of the investigation.

·

The CPSC Directorate that requested the sample. Also,
the investigation report should reference the sample
collection report number and the type of materials
sampled.