A Bridge Creek hairstylist is facing a long road back after a June 19 fireworks explosion that cost her two fingers and left her with burns across her body. Jessica Kies, a stylist who works behind the chair, lost her pinky and ring finger and spent about 24 hours in a trauma unit after being rushed to the hospital. She now faces additional surgeries, months of therapy and an uncertain future in her career.
Explosion, Treatment And Outlook
According to KFOR, Kies's husband called 911 after the June 19 explosion in Bridge Creek, and she was taken by ambulance to a trauma center. The station reports that Kies lost her pinky and ring finger and suffered burns across her body. She has already undergone one surgery and is scheduled for a skin graft procedure. Doctors told reporters they expect at least six months of therapy and rehabilitation for Kies.
Speaking to KFOR, Kies said, “It’s all fun at the moment, and you think it’s not going to happen to you, and it can. I am proof of that.” She explained that simple daily tasks, including braiding her daughter's hair, will now be a challenge and said she is grateful the blast injured her and not her child. Neighbors have stepped in to help, organizing a meal train and setting up an online fundraiser to offset medical bills and lost income.
State Rules And Safety Reminders
Oklahoma’s new Rockets Red Glare Act allows fireworks in some unincorporated areas, but cities and towns still have the authority to keep them illegal inside their limits. As reported by KOSU, many municipalities have reiterated that local bans remain in place. The City of Oklahoma City reminds residents that sparklers, bottle rockets and most consumer fireworks are still prohibited within city limits. Officials continue to urge residents to treat fireworks as potentially dangerous products and to contact emergency services immediately if someone is hurt.
National Picture
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that thousands of people end up in emergency rooms each year because of fireworks, with hands and fingers among the body parts most often injured. The agency warns that even sparklers, which many people see as harmless, can cause severe burns or amputations. It recommends that aerial fireworks shows be left to trained professionals.
Local trauma surgeons say severe hand injuries frequently require multiple surgeries and long stretches of rehabilitation, which tracks closely with Kies’s projected recovery timeline. For her and her family, the coming months will revolve around surgeries, therapy and adjusting to new physical limits, while friends and neighbors continue to pitch in. Those who want to help are being directed to community posts about the meal train and online fundraising pages. Kies told reporters she is focused on healing and on being there for her daughter. Medical officials remind anyone injured by fireworks to seek immediate care and to use extra caution around fireworks this holiday season.
