Culture, commercialism and marketing savvy has generated emerging problems that may be considered deviant but are generally socially tolerated and even admired as in extreme sports and in cultural celebrations. Under the guise of national sentiment or unique individual achievement, risk behaviors are condoned without careful scrutiny of immediate consequences on individuals and long term effects on population groups. The availability of dangerous and illegal quantities of explosives in various packaging (aerials, serial fireworks, etc), the uncontrolled use of fireworks in restricted areas as well as misuse of fireworks (children, intoxicated individuals) are seen to be the major factors in the negative impact of an otherwise enchanting experience for children and adults. Besides numerous superficial as well as serious and permanent injuries due to fireworks at new year and other national celebrations across different cultures (Chinese New Year, Indian Deepavali, Japanese Natsumatsuri Summer Festival, etc.), traumatic brain injuries and deaths are not infrequent. This study reports on serious injuries including TBI due to fireworks in 3 specific cultural settings: Chinese, Japanese and Hawaiian. Hospital ER and media reports are utilized in the analysis. It is noted that more organized and controlled the display the lesser the severity and lethality (eg Japan). On the other hand with increase in individual opportunity and experimentation in discharging fireworks the greater the dangerousness and fatal consequences (eg Taiwan). In the mixed cultures of Hawaii the illegality and indiscriminate use of aerials and uncontrolled discharge of fireworks has led to fatalities and serious property loss.
Learning Objectives: To illustrate the cultural and social tendency to promote risk taking behaviors To identify and demonstrate the morbidity and mortality including Traumatic Brain Injuries due to fireworks
Keywords: Injury Prevention, Culture
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.