
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 5, 1995                   TAG: 9507050039
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV9   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

TAKE NOTE

Prevent Blindness Virginia, a nonprofit health group that works to save eyesight, has this to say about the dangers of fireworks, a timely subject this time of year. Fireworks blind, injure or kill more than 13,000 people each year, nearly 40 percent of whom are bystanders. More than half of the victims are children.

Bottle rockets, firecrackers and sparklers cause the most injuries, health workers say, because they are so common and seem so innocuous. But bottle rockets and firecrackers are miniature explosives that can fly and explode in any direction. Sparklers burn hot enough to melt gold.

Prevent Blindness Virginia has developed a free Fireworks Safety Test to increase awareness about fireworks. Call (804) 355-0773.

by CNB