Fourth of July warning: They don’t call them fireworks for nothing
It’s not surprising that the Fourth of July holiday, with its spectacular celebrations, is the highlight of summer in America. But summer is also known as “trauma season” among healthcare professionals, in part because of the thousands of children who wind up in emergency rooms from injuries caused by fireworks.
It’s not only kids playing with fireworks directly that cause the injuries. Often, it’s other children or adults around an innocent child who unintentionally cause harm.
Most injuries occur in the few weeks around July 4th, when celebrations crank up. Almost half of the injuries reported are to children under the age of 15, with burns being the most common injury. While firecrackers are the worst offender, rockets and sparklers follow closely behind.
Sparklers? Yes, sparklers. They are not the “safe” alternative you might have believed. In fact, the temperature of a sparkler can reach over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which can easily cause permanent damage from intense burns.
Sparklers cause half of the injuries to children under the age of five, and 10 percent of fireworks-related injuries overall.
How to avoid injuries from fireworks? Emerus physicians offer one foolproof tip, based on personal experience: Get a nice, big blanket and some lawn chairs, and head for your community fireworks show.