Man Who Nearly Died In Fireworks Accident Speaks About Safety
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday weekend, a Minnesota man wants people to know fireworks accidents can and do happen.
Thirty-one-year-old Nick Beheng of Linwood Township survived a fireworks explosion in 2012.
Beheng accidentally blew a hole in his chest, damaged vital organs and tore off part of his thumb while using illegal fireworks.
On Friday at the Department of Public Safety headquarters Beheng and his doctor raised awareness about fireworks safety.
"It can happen to anybody," Beheng said.
Beheng went to Wisconsin with friends to buy fireworks that are illegal in Minnesota back in May 2012.
"They should be treated like a loaded firearm, they need to be treated with respect," Beheng said.
Beheng did not know how to properly handle the fireworks and was holding one upside down when it erupted.
"I tried to throw it, it exploded and the tube shot through, took my thumb off, came, hit my chest, took a chunk off of my heart," Beheng described.
Beheng knows others may think they are too smart for an accident like his, but Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Jim Smith knows anyone can get seriously hurt.
In the last five years, 362 people have visited the hospital because of fireworks related injuries in Minnesota, according to DPS.
Smith explained even sparklers that are legal can reach 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. DPS said that of the fireworks-related injuries in Minnesota, 30 percent of injuries come from sparklers.
Smith encourages people to stay five feet away from anybody with sparklers and keep a bucket of water nearby.
Dr. William Mohr of Regions Hospital's Burn Unit explained how Beheng arrived to the hospital with a fist-sized hole in his heart.
"He is lucky to be alive," Mohr said.
The pain of Beheng's injuries pales in comparison to the hurt his loved ones suffered.
"I know I put my family through hell, I put myself through hell so it is kind of hard to talk about," Beheng said.
Beheng's doctors said had his injuries crept another inch closer to his heart, he would have died.
DPS has some tips for anyone planning to light off fireworks to celebrate the holiday. Click here for the full list.