Boy loses hand due to homemade firecracker explosion

On December 22, Master, Doctor, CK1 Tran Phuoc Binh, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Cho Ray Hospital, said that the child patient had severe multiple injuries and underwent emergency surgery overnight. During the 3 hours, doctors removed many wounds all over the body on the arms, thighs, chest, abdomen, and treated the burn wounds.

"Unfortunately, the child's left hand could not be saved because it was so severely crushed and had to be amputated," the doctor said. Currently, the patient's health condition is stable and he is continuing to receive treatment for his injuries.

In the past month, the hospital has received four cases of serious multiple injuries related to homemade firecrackers, ranging in age from 12 to 16. All four had to have their left hands amputated.

According to Dr. Binh, the skin wounds of firearm accidents caused by firecrackers are often very deep, scorching almost the entire body, and the areas of close contact are often severely crushed. Even if the victims survive, the consequences are very severe, with loss of many bodily functions such as complete loss of hand function, amputation of limbs, blindness, etc. The patients are all very young, greatly affecting their future development.

Recently, Children’s Hospital 2 also recorded many children being hospitalized due to homemade firecrackers exploding. Previously, accidents caused by firecrackers were mainly concentrated during the Tet holiday, but now they are scattered throughout the year.

Doctors recommend that children should not use or make firecrackers out of curiosity. Families and schools need to pay attention and remind children, especially at the age of discovery, to absolutely not use explosive materials or mix chemicals to make firecrackers. Children need to be educated about the dangers of firecrackers, including the risk of explosion, causing injury, disability, and even death. At the same time, authorities need to strengthen control over the sale and manufacture of explosives on the market.

If an accident occurs, quickly remove the victim from the scene, assess the wound and burns all over the body. Apply first aid and bandage and take the victim to the nearest medical facility for timely treatment.