OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — The Fourth of July is a day people across the U.S. come together to celebrate Independence Day, through barbecues or watching the fireworks.
Some people buy fireworks of their own. But doctors are urging you to be careful, so you won’t end up in the emergency room.
Last year, HCA Midwest Health system saw 57 injuries directly related to fireworks.
“We're probably on par to surpass this, unfortunately, this year but we know that we're going to have some of these injuries every year because of firework use,” said Dr. Jared White with HCA Midwest Health.
This year, they’ve already seen 17 fireworks-related injuries since last Friday, two of which were amputations.
Another common injury doctors see are ones relating to sparklers.
“Those typically burn at 3,000 degrees,” White said. “They're hot enough to melt metal and so what we see in the ER a lot is sparklers.”
White said first degree burns are okay to treat at home but be sure to use cold water and burn cream.
If you feel it’s more severe, or you get an eye injury, get it treated immediately.
“Just severely injuring a hand can impact someone the rest of their life,” White said.
He recommends you wear safety glasses when dealing with fireworks, have one person be in charge, and also light one firework at a time.
“Don't light multiple fireworks and once you light one, leave,” Dr. White said.
And don’t try relighting a firework. Throw it into a water bucket.
There are also places where you can go out and watch fireworks displays. Click here for more information.
