Ask the Experts Blog

This week, many families will spend time outside at beaches, parades, parks, parties, and picnics. These activities can bring potential dangers with exposure to fireworks, food, heat, large crowds, and water.  

During the holiday weekend, the Emergency Departments at Lakeland Health, tend to see an increase of patients as a result of accidents related to fireworks, dehydration, and more. Being aware of injuries that are common during the Fourth of July holiday can help ensure your celebrations are fun and safe for the entire family.

“Based on my experiences in the Emergency Department, my number one tip is to be safe,” said Robert Nolan, DO, Medical Director of Emergency Medicine, Lakeland Health.. “Fireworks can seriously hurt or injure someone if used improperly with most injuries occurring on the hands and fingers.”

Basic firework safety tips to follow:

• Keep young children away from areas where firework are being lit
• Back-up immediately after lighting a firework
• If a firework didn’t ignite, don’t try to re-light it or pick it up
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose close by in case of a fire mishap
• Drench fireworks in water after they’re done burning
  

"If you or someone you know does happen to get injured by a firework, go to the Emergency Department immediately," Dr. Nolan advises. "If an eye injury occurs, don't touch, rub, or flush the eye out with water. If someone gets burned, remove clothing from the affected area and run cool, not cold, water over the burn. Call your doctor immediately."

Other helpful safety tips:

• Create a “kid-free” zone. Use lawn chairs or other items to create boundaries around outdoor grills that designate where kids aren’t allowed to enter.
• Keep food safe to eat. Perishable foods, like meat, seafood, side salads, and cut fruits and vegetables, should only be left out for two hours at room temperature and even less time outside in the heat. When serving meat to children, make sure it’s cooked through and isn’t pink or red. Cooked items should be kept away from raw foods to avoid contamination. Kids are also susceptible to choking, so be cautious when serving chunks of hot dogs or fruit, hard candies, or other solid food items that are common choking hazards.
• Stick together. Before attending a crowded celebration, talk to your kids about what to do if they become separated from you. Kids can easily become lost in a crowd, so designate a meeting spot as soon as you arrive and remember to keep all cell phone batteries charged.