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Independence Day 2022

Sparklers: Florida Doctors Warn Against “Kid-Friendly Fireworks”

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If you’re planning on lighting sparklers this Fourth of July, believing they are among the safest fireworks, think again. Doctors with HCA Florida Healthcare say they are actually among the most dangerous, particularly for children.

Sparklers are often wrongly considered child-friendly

“Families treat sparklers way too casually, and children are typically at the greatest risk of injury,” said Dr. Daniel Westawski, a plastic surgery, and microsurgery specialist on staff at HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton. “When lit, the magnesium that adds white sparks and overall brilliance to a sparkler becomes super hot, much hotter than a wood flame or gas stove.”

Click this link for fireworks safety information from Dr. Daniel Westawski:

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Sparklers burn at temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt metal and glass, and can easily ignite clothing and hair.

As a result, Westawski said HCA Florida Healthcare emergency rooms are again preparing for fireworks-related injuries to hands, fingers, the head, face, and eyes.

“Then you have those who put two or three sparklers together to create an even bigger effect. That’s when things could get really out of control,” he added.

In 2020, an estimated 15,600 people were hospitalized with injuries related to fireworks – the highest number in the last 15 years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported. Sixty-six percent of the injuries happened between June 21, 2020, and July 21, 2020.

Dr. Westawski recommends those using sparklers have a large bucket of water to douse the hot magnesium sticks. This will prevent anyone from stepping on them after use.

“Even if they don’t light, always place the item in a bucket of water,” he added.

Injuries also occur when individuals try to launch fireworks from their hands or throw them after they’ve been lit, according to Westawski.

Doctors advise those celebrating the Fourth of July to adhere to the following safety protocols:

  • If you are using fireworks, light them from a safe distance.
  • Follow the directions on the label. 
  • Use long lighters. 
  • As always, attend public fireworks displays and leave the lighting to the professionals.

Backyard Grilling Can Go Wrong in a Flash

Mishandled fireworks aren’t the only culprits of ER visits over the Fourth of July holiday. An improperly lit backyard grill is also a prime culprit.

“We see a lot of flash burns from backyard grills,” said Dr. Michael Van Vliet, Burn Medical Director at HCA Florida Blake Hospital.

Click this link for grilling safety from Dr. Michael Van Vliet

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Flash burns occur when the pilot or source of heat is lit when the grill is closed, creating a flash when the lid is opened. Dr. Van Vliet said the grill cover should always be open whenever igniting a source so that none of the gas or propane is contained.

He added individuals should make sure all connections to the grill are completely tight to prevent any leaking of gas or propane. Those grilling should also wear short sleeves or roll them up when cooking.

HCA Florida Healthcare, a part of HCA Healthcare, is a family of more than 570 affiliated sites of care, including hospitals, physician practices, and freestanding emergency rooms. United as a statewide network in 2021, HCA Florida Healthcare includes approximately 11,000 experienced doctors and 77,000 colleagues working together to deliver advanced, collaborative care to more than 7.4 million patients each year. For more information, please visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com

HCA Florida Healthcare, 4th of July, Safety, Sparklers, Are sparklers child-friendly? Is it safe to let kids use sparklers? Safety tips for Fourth of July, Backyard Grilling, Parenting, Children, Family

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