The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published its statistics relating to the injuries caused by fireworks during the Halloween period (17 October-14 November) in 2008.
The information release provides a statistical examination of the people reporting to the Accident & Emergency Departments, as a result of an injury caused by a firework.
Key Points – Halloween period 2008
The key findings presented in the statistics release are listed below:
* 32 persons were injured over the Halloween period (17 October-14 November 2008), a decrease of (67%) from the 2007 figure.
* 47% of persons injured over the Halloween period attended an Accident and Emergency Department or Minor Injuries Unit between 31 October and 6 November 2008.
* 81% of those injured were male.
* 66% of those injured were aged under 18.
* There were no fatalities.
* The most common sites of injury were to the wrist or hand (53% of all injuries) and the eye (22%).
* 34% required no further treatment, 19% were referred to Outpatients, 16% were referred to GP and 16% were asked to revisit A&E.