Dozens of patients across the KC metro treated for fireworks-related injuries
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - The morning after the Fourth of July, Children’s Mercy Hospital reported an increased number of patients with fireworks-related injuries.
Hospital staff stated Friday, July 5, that 19 children were treated for injuries, mostly to their hands and eyes.
University Health/Truman Medical Center treated 10 patients for firework-related injuries Thursday night and Friday morning.
On Friday afternoon, The University of Kansas Health System announced it has treated 35 fireworks-related injuries since July 1. Patients ranged in age between 6 to 73. The most common injuries were to the face, eyes, hands and legs. The most common types of fireworks that injured patients included firecrackers, sparklers, smoke bombs, mortars, Roman candles, fountains and ground spinners.
Children’s Mercy Hospital shared the following advice for safety around fireworks:
Follow necessary safety measures:
- Always view fireworks from a safe distance.
- Avoid loose-fitting clothing while using fireworks.
- Never light fireworks near dry grass, brush, leaves or flammable substances.
- Never light fireworks indoors.
- Point fireworks away from people, pets and homes.
Sparklers may seem harmless, but can be dangerous:
- Sparklers can heat up to 1,200 degrees.
- Small children have little arms that are often too short to hold sparklers at a safe distance.
- The AAP suggests waving a flag instead of a sparkler for children under the age of 5.
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Practice injury prevention:
- Always have a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Know how to properly operate a fire extinguisher.
- Stand several feet away from lit fireworks.
- If a firework does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate. Pour water on it and dispose of the remains.
- Consider wearing both eye and hearing protection around fireworks.
Leave fireworks to the pros:
- Many local communities offer public fireworks displays. Public displays leave the handling and lighting of fireworks to professionals.
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