Bartlesville Radio: The area’s best source for news, weather and sports!

From barbeques and cooling off by the pool, to scenic firework shows, the Fourth of July often means a fun-filled day for families across the United States.

However, patriotic fun can quickly take a devastating turn if proper safety precautions are not deployed. Although July 4 celebrations may look different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local physicians with Ascension St. John Jane Phillips wants to remind individuals of firework safety precautions and what to do if an injury occurs.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an average of 180 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. Last year, there were approximately 10,000 emergency rooms visits across the country that were caused by fireworks.

Dr. Micheal Ogle said it’s important to be proactive about fireworks safety. He said they see the most burn injuries during the summer months when fireworks are being used for holidays like the Fourth of July. He added that using common sense and taking safety precautions can help prevent tragedy on what should be a fun day for the entire family.

Fireworks-related injuries can affect the entire family; sparklers, commonly used by children, burn at 2,000 degrees.

Dr. Ogle said adults and children are at risk for fireworks-related injuries if fireworks are not used safely. He said if older children are playing with fireworks, they should be closely supervised, and adults should use fireworks responsibly.

Follow these simple tips for fireworks safety this Fourth of July:

• Point fireworks away from you and occupied areas, even when they aren’t lit.
• Do not let young children use sparklers and closely monitor older children’s use.
• Do not stand over fireworks and look into fireworks while igniting them.
• Keep a water source nearby in case of fire and accidents.
• Only use legal fireworks approved for consumer use.
• Enjoy a public commercial show if possible.

The emergency room is still the safest place to receive care for serious firework-related injuries and burns, with precautions in place for your safety. Dr. Ogle said they have adapted to COVID-19 and made it a safety issue. He said they treat possible coronavirus patients differently in the ER, and you will not be at risk from getting the virus if you need to go to the emergency room.

If you or a loved one experiences a firework-related injury or burn, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.