With the Fourth of July fast approaching, Eskenazi Health warns Hoosiers to think twice before lighting fireworks or stepping up to the grill without proper precautions.
The Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center at Eskenazi Health urges families to avoid home fireworks instead of attending professional shows. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were responsible for an estimated 10,200 injuries nationwide in a recent year, many of them in the month surrounding Independence Day. The most common culprits were firecrackers and sparklers.
“Although it is very easy to get wrapped up in the holiday season, it is crucial to be alert to one’s safety,” said Dr. Leigh Spera, the burn center’s medical director. “Every year, we see serious injuries from fireworks. These injuries have increased throughout the years, and we encourage avoiding lighting your fireworks altogether.”
Spera said injuries most often affect the hands, face and eyes and are frequently caused by handling fireworks directly, even so-called “safe” ones like sparklers. Fireworks malfunctions are another common cause of injury. In recent tests, 43% of selected fireworks contained illegal or hazardous components.
If families choose to use fireworks at home, Eskenazi Health recommends following these key safety guidelines:
- Never allow children to light or play with fireworks.
- Do not use fireworks while intoxicated.
- Avoid brown paper-packaged fireworks; they may be intended for professional use.
- Stay clear of loose clothing that can catch fire.
- Light fireworks one at a time and move away quickly.
- Keep water or a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Never try to relight a dud firework. Soak and discard it.
- Never take fireworks apart or try to modify them.
Grilling also comes with its share of risks. To prevent burns and fires:
- Use propane and charcoal grills only outdoors.
- Set up grills away from homes, overhangs and deck railings.
- Keep kids and pets away from the grill area.
- Clean grease buildup from the grill and trays.
- Never leave a grill unattended.
“Stop, drop, and roll is still the recommended method to put out a fire on the body caused by fireworks or grilling,” Spera added. “If you are burned, remove all clothing and jewelry from the burned area and apply cool (not cold) water to stop the burning process. Cover the area with a dry, loose bandage or sheet. Immediately seek medical attention and call 911.”
Eskenazi Health also echoed the warning of the Indiana Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Academy of Ophthalmology that fireworks can cause permanent and severe eye injuries, even to bystanders. Risks include burns, corneal abrasions and retinal detachment.
The Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center, Indiana’s only verified adult burn center, was recently recertified by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons. Call the burn prevention hotline at 1-866-339-BURN for burn prevention resources or questions.
For more on Eskenazi Health’s programs and services, visit eskenazihealth.edu.
This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
