As healthcare workers, you know that the 4th of July brings in more injuries than usual with fireworks being the culprit. Several people die and many thousands more are injured each year in fireworks related accidents. Most injuries are to the hands, fingers, face and eyes. Keep yourself safe by preventing fireworks injuries. Don’t become a patient at your own facility!
- Leave the fireworks displays to professionals. Most towns put on a public display for everyone to enjoy.
- Bottle rockets, Roman candles and other flying firewords can be unpredictable and fly into the crowd, harming anyone in their path. Keep all spectators at a safe distance and never aim fireworks at people or animals.
- Do not let children under five handle sparklers or fireworks of any kind. Supervise older children closely. Don’t let children run around with fireworks.
- Do not try to relight fireworks that have not gone off. Approaching fireworks that may be “duds” can lead to sudden explosions and injury.
- Never hold fireworks in your hand or place them in containers when shooting them off. Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies.
- Most importantly, use common sense! If it doesn’t seem like a good idea – it probably isn’t!