Hendrick Health’s Tips for Staying Safe this Fourth of July

Fourth of July is a day to celebrate with family and friends, but it is also a holiday that involves many unexpected injuries. Hendrick Health wants to share a few tips for having fun and staying safe during this holiday.

Some tips to stay safe this holiday:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, which include sparklers.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area.
• Purchase and use fireworks that are labeled for consumer use (not professional use).
• Do not use fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Keep a water source handy in case of a fire or other incident.
• Light fireworks one at a time and move back quickly.
• Never try to use malfunctioning fireworks. Instead, douse them with water and throw the fireworks away.
• Never point or throw fireworks at anyone, which include sparklers.
• After a firework has been used, pour water over the device before discarding to prevent fire.

In 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that the age range with the highest emergency-related injuries was 15 - 19 years with 5 - 9 years having the second highest rate. In total, there were an estimated 800 emergency-related injuries associated with fireworks and 8 deaths. 700 of these injuries were from sparklers.

Sparklers are advertised as easy and fun fireworks for all ages to enjoy, but these are very dangerous. Sparklers are held in one's hand as it burns and can cause an injury to happen if a person is not careful. Sparkers burn at temperatures around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature can melt some metals.

Fireworks are not the only thing that a person needs to be careful of during this holiday. People need to be safe and cautious while traveling and remember to be hydrated as summer temperatures are rising. Keep the food that is being made out of the heat and be cautious when using grills, and other devices to cook.

As temperatures rise, more people are enjoying swimming, whether that be in the ocean, a lake or a swimming pool. People need to be cautious and to keep a close eye on their surroundings. Individuals need to make sure that they are at a safe distance from the surface and land. Everyone needs to wear the correct lifejacket and gear within bodies of water. Children should have supervision at all times.

If a person is experiencing an emergency injury, call 911 immediately.