Health Department Offers Tips To Have Safer Celebration on July 4

The Fourth of July is a holiday that most look forward to each year. It's smack in the middle of the long, hot summer. A great picnic and a fireworks shower synchronized to the national anthem are American traditions. But these beautiful fireworks can turn quite ugly when not attended to properly, and serious injuries--burns and injuries to the eyes--can result.

Fireworks aren't the only danger associated with the Fourth of July. Arkansans love boats, and on many Fourths of July, there are horrible boating tragedies on one of the lakes or rivers.

What can be done to make the Fourth safe?

Fireworks

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 60 percent of injuries from fireworks in the United States occur in the month surrounding the July 4 holiday. Injuries are caused by firecrackers (26 percent), sparklers (17 percent) and rockets (17 percent), which accounted for most of the injuries seen in emergency departments. Injuries from fireworks most often affect the hand, eyes and the head, face and ear.

According to Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) hospital discharge data, five injuries occurred in 2007, ranging in ages from 8 to 14. Four were male; one was female. For years 2004-2007, 20 Arkansans were injured by fireworks, with an age range from 5 years of age to 41. If fireworks are legal, be sure to follow these important safety tips:

Always have an adult present.

Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.

Read and follow all warnings and instructions.

Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and flammable materials.

Don't approach or try to relight fireworks that do not work the first time. Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.

Never experiment or attempt to make fireworks.

Never carry fireworks in a pocket or ignite them in a metal or glass container.

Never throw fireworks at another person. This only invites potential eye injuries and severe hand and facial burns.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) strongly recommends leaving fireworks to the professionals. Gather your family, sit back, relax and enjoy a professionally organized fireworks display.

Boating Safety

The CDC reports that in 2006, the U.S. Coast Guard received reports for 4,969 boating incidents; 3,474 participants were reported injured and 710 died in boating incidents. Alcohol involvement was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, making the difference in about one in five reported boating deaths. According to ADH hospital discharge data, in 2006, Arkansas had 18 boating injuries (11 males and 7 females), and in 2007 the number climbed to 30 (18 males and 12 females).*

There are important safety considerations.

Don't forget life jackets for all boat occupants. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are made to fit better now and are more comfortable to wear. Leave the alcohol on the shore. CDC says that alcohol is a contributing factor in roughly one in five boating fatalities. It's also wise to take a boating education course before getting behind the wheel. Most boating accidents are caused by operator carelessness, inexperience and traveling at unsafe speeds. Get a boat checked before leaving the dock to make sure of having necessary safety equipment. And be aware of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. A boat's engine releases this odorless, colorless gas that is poisonous and can kill in a matter of minutes.

Be aware about the dangers from unintentional injuries this Fourth of July. Even with careful attention and precautions, some injuries will still happen. The ADH is working with other organizations to help create a statewide trauma system to provide more immediate specialized care for traumatic injuries. This can help save Arkansans' lives and improve recovery from some injuries. Presently, Arkansas is one of only three states in the country with no organized trauma system and the only state without a designated trauma center to treat serious and life threatening unintentional injuries.

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Health Department Offers Tips To Have Safer Celebration on July 4

The Fourth of July is a holiday that most look forward to each year. It's smack in the middle of the long, hot summer. A great picnic and a fireworks shower synchronized to the national anthem are American traditions. But these beautiful fireworks can turn quite ugly when not attended to properly, and serious injuries--burns and injuries to the eyes--can result.

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