You probably already have your Fourth of July celebration planned with family and friends. Your plans might include using fireworks or going somewhere to watch a professional fireworks display. With that in mind, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida offers this advice to enjoy an injury-free Fourth of July.
- Leave the fireworks to the professionals – communities across South Florida offer fireworks displays for you and your family to enjoy in a safe environment.
- If you decide to handle fireworks and suffer an injury, remain calm.
- You should only treat the most minor fireworks injuries at home – seek medical care immediately for more serious injuries.
- Urgent care clinics can treat minor cuts, burns, abrasions, sprains and fractures.
- For severe injuries, call an ambulance or have someone take you to the emergency room.
You should closely supervise any children that you let handle fireworks. Children under age 15 account for 39 percent of fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The body parts most prone to fireworks injuries are the hands, fingers, eyes, head, face and ears.
If you or a loved one suffers any type of injury and you think someone else is responsible, contact our office to speak with a personal injury lawyer.