Do carrots help prevent sparkler injuries?
Date First Published:
November 14, 2024
Last Updated:
November 14, 2024
Report by:
Dr Peter Hulme, Consultant Emergency Medicine (Manchester Royal Infirmary)
Three-Part Question:
In [children using sparklers] does [inserting the sparkler into a carrot] [reduce the risk of injuries]
Clinical Scenario:
You are at a fireworks party with your young family. You wonder whether inserting a sparkler into a carrot may be safer and reduce the risk of injury.
Search Strategy:
Embase 1974 to 2024 November 13
HMIC Health Management Information Consortium 1979 to September 2024
Ovid MEDLINE(R) ALL 1946 to November 13, 2024
HMIC Health Management Information Consortium 1979 to September 2024
Ovid MEDLINE(R) ALL 1946 to November 13, 2024
Search Details:
1. sparklers.mp. [mp=ti, ab, hw, tn, ot, dm, mf, dv, kf, fx, dq, bt, nm, ox, px, rx, an, ui, sy, ux, mx]
58
2. fireworks.mp. [mp=ti, ab, hw, tn, ot, dm, mf, dv, kf, fx, dq, bt, nm, ox, px, rx, an, ui, sy, ux, mx]
1830
3. carrots.mp. [mp=ti, ab, hw, tn, ot, dm, mf, dv, kf, fx, dq, bt, nm, ox, px, rx, an, ui, sy, ux, mx]
4691
4. vegetables.mp. [mp=ti, ab, hw, tn, ot, dm, mf, dv, kf, fx, dq, bt, nm, ox, px, rx, an, ui, sy, ux, mx]
127619
5. 1 or 2
1845
6. 3 or 4
130591
7. 5 and 6
4
58
2. fireworks.mp. [mp=ti, ab, hw, tn, ot, dm, mf, dv, kf, fx, dq, bt, nm, ox, px, rx, an, ui, sy, ux, mx]
1830
3. carrots.mp. [mp=ti, ab, hw, tn, ot, dm, mf, dv, kf, fx, dq, bt, nm, ox, px, rx, an, ui, sy, ux, mx]
4691
4. vegetables.mp. [mp=ti, ab, hw, tn, ot, dm, mf, dv, kf, fx, dq, bt, nm, ox, px, rx, an, ui, sy, ux, mx]
127619
5. 1 or 2
1845
6. 3 or 4
130591
7. 5 and 6
4
Outcome:
No relevant studies
Author Commentary:
Although some fire brigades recommend their use and the theoretical advantage of children's hands holding a bigger object and therefore being further away from the hot sparkler currently there is no scientific evidence to support this intervention or the use of any other vegetable.
Bottom Line:
There are theoretical reasons why this may be beneficial but currently no evidence to support it's use. Future prospective studies could establish the evidence base for it's use.