With more celebrations comes a higher risk of getting hurt in many ways.
SAN ANTONIO — The Fourth of July is next Friday, and many people plan to celebrate over the holiday weekend. But those celebrations are also a high time for bodily injuries.
There are many hazards that you need to keep a lookout for this Independence Day.
The first, and most obvious, fireworks.
“If you’re doing fireworks at your home, keep them away from children and you want to keep even sparklers away from children because they can cause burns,” Dr. Emily Kidd, the Acadian Ambulance Service Texas Medical Director said.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says in 2024, 14,700 people were treated in emergency rooms across the U.S. for firework injuries. Unfortunately ,11 people lost their lives from fireworks last year as well.
For those that were injured, 37 percent were burns, with about one in five occurring on the head, face and ears, and one in three on the hands and fingers.
“Make sure you have a good water supply nearby that if you do get sparks or fire from fireworks, you can easily put it out,” Dr. Kidd said.
Crowd safety is also a must if you are attending any kind of holiday event. Dr. Kidd stressed, “Make sure that everybody’s phone is charged before you go so you can call each other. If for some reason you can’t use your phone, make sure everybody knows where, to meet if you get separated. Talk to your kids about stranger danger.”
Also make sure if you are drinking, you aren’t getting behind the wheel, keep an eye on that grill and make sure pets and kids don’t get close enough to get burned and stay hydrated in the heat.
“It’s still early in the summer, so not everybody’s bodies have become acclimated to the heat,” Dr. Kidd said.
Dr. Kidd says when it comes to fireworks try to enjoy it with your family by watching professionals light the fuse, and keep pets indoors because they are easily spooked by the sound.