Fireworks-related Injuries during New Year celebrations in Kosovo: A comparison of the years 2008 and 2009

Background: Fireworks related injuries in children occur in Kosovo particularly during New Year celebrations.Aim: To report the pattern of fireworks- related injuries in childrenup to 16 years of age treated at the Emergency Center and Plastic Surgery,University Clinical Centre of Kosovo during the 2008 and 2009 New Year celebrations.Methods: Retrospective review of hospital recordsResults: During the New Year celebrations in 2008, a total of 65 caseswere admitted, 32 (49.2%) of who were children injured by fireworks. The ages of the children ranged from 5 to 16 years with a mean of 10.5years. The modal age affected was the 10 – 14 year-old group (53.6%). Boys constituted 93.8% of patients and girls 6.3%. During the 2009 New Year celebration, 17 cases were admitted with fireworks injuries, 12 (70.58%) of who were children ranging in age from 8 to 15 years (mean 11.5 years) with a modal age group of 10 – 14 years (66.7%). Boys accounted for 88.3% and girls for 16.7% of patients.Conclusions: The frequency of fireworks injuries reduced appreciablyafter introduction of laws restricting sales of fireworks devices and banningtheir use by children.Recommendations: It is recommended that parents play a greaterrole in controlling the activities of their children during festivities. Thegovernment and police should also ensure compliance with the law onthe use of fireworks during the holidays.Key words: fireworks injury, epidemiology, wounds, prevention