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A Christchurch man has suffered burns to his hands and ringing in his ears after a firework exploded in his hand.
The incident happened at 10 PM Saturday.
The man said he was holding a Roman candle when it exploded in his hand.
“I now have burns to my hands and a significant amount of pain, even from following the instructions.
The man said he purchased the Roman candles from a pop-up temporary fireworks store in Christchurch.
The worker told me “these ones you hold in your hand and aim them up high.”
The man said he didn’t want fireworks banned but wanted to caution others about the dangers.
A Bad Boy Fireworks spokesperson said “every firework that comes into New Zealand has very clear labeling requirements that include “do not hold in hand.”
He said the retailer involved in the sale was not a Bad Boy fireworks-operated store, rather an independent retailer, just like a dairy.
“It’s pretty simple, none are to be used by hand, ever.”
Supplied.
ACC Injury Prevention Programme Lead James Whitaker said “on average there are around 300 new claims accepted every year by ACC for fireworks injuries.
“People need to take the risk of injury at Guy Fawkes seriously.
Our data shows that many injuries from fireworks are predictable – and this means they’re preventable.”
