Celebrate safely this holiday weekend with these helpful tips

PADUCAH, KY (July 1, 2025) — As the weekend approaches, many are looking forward to celebrating the Fourth of July with family and friends.

For some, this means a weekend of swimming and fireworks, a backyard barbecue or outdoor sports, but it does not have to mean a trip to the Emergency Department.

On average, 240 people go to the emergency room for firework related injuries around the Fourth of July. Emergency room doctors see everything from burns to breaks to cuts this time of year from outdoor activities.

With a little planning, many injuries can be prevented. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these tips to celebrate safely this holiday weekend:

• Fireworks can cause death and injury, including burns, cuts, bruises and foreign objects in your eyes. Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers.
• Take care of yourself in the summer heat. In hot temperatures, your body might not properly cool itself. This could lead to serious health problems. Drink plenty of fluids, regardless of your activity level. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink.
• Planning a holiday picnic or barbecue? The summer months typically see a spike in foodborne illness. Do not leave food at room temperature for longer than two hours – one hour if the outside temperature is over 90 degrees. Keep perishable food in an insulated cooler packed with ice or ice packs.
• If your weekend includes time in a pool or the lake, designate a responsible adult to watch all children swimming or playing in or around the water. Drowning occurs quickly and quietly, so adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity while supervising children.

However, if you or someone you know is involved in a firework/sparkler mishap or other injury, do not wait. Call 911 immediately.