A timely reminder: Use fireworks safely

The following excerpt is from the July 3 issue of . Ray Hull, a professor of communication sciences and disorders at WSU, provided expertise for the story.

Fourth of July weekend is bringing safety reminders from several groups, who remind us that fireworks have the potential to permanently harm sight and hearing as well as burn.

Safe Kids Kansas says more than 1,300 Kansas children 14 or younger have been treated or hospitalized for fireworks-related injuries over the past two years, with more than half of the injuries coming on the Fourth of July.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and Grene Vision Group say one-fourth of fireworks-related eye injuries result in permanent vision loss, and children account for half of the fireworks-related eye injuries.

Ray Hull, a professor of communication sciences and disorders at 麻豆破解版 State University, has said that a noise level of 130 decibels can put you at risk for permanent hearing damage after 75 seconds. As the sound level goes up, the damage occurs in even shorter times.