Avoid the ER This 4th of July

July 4 revelries to bring flames, fireworks, and frights: ER docs brace for impact

"It's people trying to do their own fireworks, people not getting far enough away, or people trying to relight a dud." – Dr. Vard Curtis, emergency medicine specialist

As Americans gear up for extended July 4 celebrations this year, with the holiday falling on a Thursday, local ER doctors brace for an influx of firework-related injuries and other festive misfortunes.

Dr. Vard Curtis, Medical Director of St. David's South Austin Medical Center, sees firework casualties annually. He emphasized that injuries often result from individuals attempting amateur fireworks displays, failing to maintain a safe distance, or recklessly trying to relight dud fireworks. Furthermore, Curtis noted that fireworks can spark fires, leading to additional injuries and property damage.

Firework Safety:

• Curtis attributed many firework injuries to alcohol consumption, impairing judgment and reflexes.
• Fireworks are largely illegal within city limits in Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Georgetown, Buda, Lakeway, and Kyle. Nevertheless, check local ordinances and county burn bans before igniting any fireworks.
• For a safer experience, attend a professional display, like the H-E-B-sponsored event with the Austin Symphony Orchestra on July 4 (https://www.starspangledfest.com/july-4).
• If using legal fireworks (sparklers, glow worms, trick noisemakers, etc.) in Austin, adhere to safety guidelines:
  • Keep safety equipment (water bucket, cellphone) nearby.
  • Ensure a sober adult supervises children.
  • Light fireworks on cement or asphalt, away from buildings.
  • Maintain a distance of at least 15 feet if not lighting fireworks.
  • Avoid lighting multiple fireworks simultaneously.
  • Never attempt to relight or pick up faulty fireworks.
  • Hold sparklers away from your body.
  • Never aim or throw fireworks at others.
  • Douse used fireworks in water before disposal, ensuring they are extinguished.

Other Fourth of July Hazards:

• Water Accidents:
  • Assign a sober adult to supervise children near water, whether at pools or lakes.
  • Adult swimmers should refrain from swimming while intoxicated.
  • Dive only in hazard-free areas with sufficient depth.
  • Learn CPR and keep a charged cellphone within reach.
  • Be cautious when operating boats or personal watercraft, avoiding alcohol consumption.
• Grilling:
  • Dodge the temptation to use lighter fluids or accelerants. Opt for charcoal or kindling for non-gas grills.
  • Never position any body parts over the grill when lighting it.
  • Grill with caution on windy days to prevent uncontrollable flames.
  • Have water or a fire extinguisher readily available to extinguish flames promptly.
• Automobile Wrecks:
  • With increased evening travel, expect more car wrecks.
  • Designate a sober driver, buckle up, and stay alert on the roads.
• Heat:
  • Dr. Curtis expects cases of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, which can lead to permanent disability or death.
  • Limit outdoor activities between 2-6 pm, the hottest time of day.
  • Seek shade, take a dip in the pool, and continuously hydrate (alcohol and soft drinks don't count).
  • Dress in lightweight, light-colored, breathable fabric.
  • Recognize that certain medications increase sun and heat sensitivity.

Know the Signs of Heat Illness:

• Heat cramps: Sweating, muscle aches, prickly heat rash, dizziness. Move to a cooler area, hydrate, remove excess clothing, and apply cold compresses. Seek medical attention.
• Heat exhaustion: Flushed skin, excessive sweating, cold/clammy skin, nausea, loss of appetite, shallow heartbeat. Follow similar procedures as heat cramps, and call a doctor for further advice.
• Heat stroke: Lack of sweating, rapid heartbeat, fainting, rapid breathing, confusion, loss of consciousness, high body temperature. A medical emergency. Rush the affected person to the ER or call 911.

Don't Delay Medical Care:

While ERs anticipate a surge in accident-related visits, Dr. Curtis noted that people often delay seeking treatment for medical issues like heart failure or diabetes complications until after the holiday. This delay can lead to a sicker patient population in the days following the celebrations, requiring more aggressive treatments and extended hospitalization.

Stay safe, Austin, and remember: freedom isn't free, but it shouldn't cost you a trip to the ER.