It’s been a year since now. New Year’s Eve 2022. A rocket battery was ignited, beyond her control. But the first scoots went at an angle, straight towards where children and adults were standing. The one hit Kaja in the middle of the eye. But on top of the goggles. – The impact was really hard. And it was very painful and hot. Kaja reacted by sticking her head in the snow. The rest of the shots in the rocket battery fortunately went straight up. Rules for fireworks in Norway Private individuals can only set off fireworks on New Year’s Eve between 18:00 and 02:00. It is not allowed at any other time of the year, unless you have received a special permit. Fireworks must not be set off in dense residential areas, near dry forest or other flammable surroundings. The municipality can issue local regulations on restrictions on the use of fireworks in specific areas where, according to experience, there may be a danger to life, health, the environment or material assets. Local prohibition zones can also be established in municipalities, but not a total prohibition. Source: DSB At a good distance It was so innocent. Children and adults were to gather to launch rockets in a garden in Lillehammer, at 8 p.m. Kaja and her two children were on their way to the neighbour’s, when the 8-year-old reminded her that they had to bring safety glasses. – I ran home after them. We had several couples. Such as we have received or bought from fireworks dealers over the years. There was enough for all the kids, and one pair left for one of us adults. Kaja took the last pair herself. And it probably saved her from serious injury. Nevertheless, it was straight home and into bed after the bang. New Year’s Eve still up with a wound between the eyes, a swollen nose and a concussion. DISCLAIMER: Kaja van den Berg encourages everyone who is where rockets are fired to wear safety glasses. Anyone who sells fireworks sells such glasses for a cheap price. – It’s worth it, says Kaja. DISCLAIMER: Kaja van den Berg encourages everyone who is where rockets are fired to wear safety glasses. Anyone who sells fireworks sells such glasses for a cheap price. – It’s worth it, says Kaja. Felt safest – I felt it in my head for several weeks afterwards. But actually we were very lucky. A little boy sat on his mother’s arm nearby. Imagine if the rocket had hit them! Kaja emphasizes that she felt that everything happened in a responsible situation. – Everything was as we were used to, we saw no danger in it. And we thought the distance was reasonable. In retrospect, I see that one can never be careful enough. After the incident, it is impossible for Kaja to be out on New Year’s Eve without safety glasses. DISCLAIMER: Ophthalmologist Line Kvannli disclaims anyone who sets off fireworks. – You can be injured for life. DISCLAIMER: Ophthalmologist Line Kvannli disclaims anyone who sets off fireworks. – You can be injured for life. Serious doctor follows Ophthalmologist Line Kvannli says Kaja has been very lucky. – She could have suffered serious damage to her eye, and in the worst case lost her sight. Because anything can happen if a rocket explodes in your face, says Kvannli. She cannot stress enough how important it is to wear safety glasses. – You can get burns or wounds on the cornea. Or a tear, cut or burn on the eyelid. And you can get bleeding inside the eye together with retinal detachment, or a so-called rupture, i.e. a hole in the eye. Occasionally the eye can tear, and in the worst case it becomes so damaged that you have to take it out. – Losing an eye is dramatic. Most people regret it very much, when in the blink of an eye on a fun New Year’s Eve you can get an injury that affects the ability to drive a car and the ability to study or work. Often alcohol involved. Last year, 31 personal injuries following New Year’s fireworks were reported to the Directorate for Fire and Explosion Protection. 10 of them were eye injuries. The number is between 10 and 15 moderate or severe cases every year. In addition, there are minor injuries that have only been treated at the emergency room. Most accidents happen at parties and often in connection with the use of alcohol. Young men are most likely to be injured. EXAM: Line Kvannli can quickly see how the back part of the eye is doing with an OCT machine. – Injuries from fireworks can be very serious, she says. INVESTIGATORS: Line Kvannli can quickly see how the back of the eye is doing with an OCT machine. – Damage from fireworks can be very serious, she says. Shooting stars also dangerous Often people buy shooting stars for their children because we think it is safer. – But we will use safety glasses then too, says Line Kvannli. She has three children herself, and all are fitted with safety glasses on New Year’s Eve. The Association of Ophthalmologists in Norway has joined the petition neitilfyrverkeri.no, which wants a ban on private fireworks. Line Kvannli stands behind this. – In many countries there are only professional fireworks. I myself have been to Sydney and seen the New Year’s fireworks there. It was absolutely fantastic. But no one was hurt. SAFE: Line Kvannli has been to Sydney and seen the famous fireworks over the opera house there. – It was absolutely fantastic, but no one was hurt! Photo: Mark Baker / AP The Directorate for Fire and Explosion Protection also underlines that safety glasses are the most important thing to protect against injuries. Press officer Morten Harangen supports Line Kvannli that you should wear glasses when lighting shooting stars. – Shooting stars can get very hot and gneiss is dangerous. And there is a 12-year limit on using them. Yes, actually, some shooting stars have an 18-year age limit. So those are the two most important pieces of advice ahead of New Year’s Eve: Wear safety glasses and read the instructions for use and all warnings. Outside: Kaja van den Berg outside the house in Lillehammer Outside: Kaja van den Berg outside the house in Lillehammer Before it hit again, Kaja van den Berg was bedridden for the rest of the New Year’s weekend last year. She says that the incident affected her for several weeks afterwards. But she suffered no lasting injuries. She thanks the goggles for that. – It may have saved my sight that there was actually one pair left for me. So it was a decent week. The invitation is ready for everyone who will now be celebrating another New Year’s Eve: – Wear safety glasses! Everyone should have it, not just the children. How to use fireworks correctly: Use fireworks only on New Year’s Eve, between 6pm and 2am. Make sure the ground battery is safe and secure, if there is snow, pack it around. Make sure that the fireworks do not get damp or wet. Read the instructions for use and follow the advice for a safe distance when launching rockets. Wear safety glasses to avoid eye damage. Never light the fuse twice. If it does not light the first time, wait 30 minutes, soak with water and return to dealer. How to use star shooting correctly Star shooting should only be used outside. Do not bundle several shooting stars together – then there may be large flames that strike back in your hand. Keep it straight, at a good distance from other people. Do not wave in front of your own or other people’s share. Wear safety glasses to avoid getting sparks in your eyes – Source: DSB, Sikker kvardag.
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Kaja van den Berg got a New Year’s rocket in the middle of her face – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
