HSHS hospitals urge safety during fireworks season

Green Bay, Wis. – Though fireworks can be exciting, festive and fun, HSHS St. Vincent, St. Mary’s, St. Nicholas and St. Clare Memorial Hospitals want to remind community members that fireworks can also be very dangerous.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports on average, 180 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. HSHS hospitals recommend fireworks be left to experts specially trained and certified in pyrotechnics.

While many professional firework displays are canceled throughout the region due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s possible more people may choose to light their own fireworks this year. The following safety reminders are provided by HSHS St. Vincent, St. Mary’s, St. Nicholas and St. Clare Memorial Hospitals with guidance from the CPSC:

Tips to keep children safe around water:

1. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

2. Never allow children to play with fireworks. Young children can suffer injuries from sparklers, which burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

3. Never place any part of your body directly over a firework when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting a firework (only light one at a time).

4. Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them from metal or glass containers.

5. Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

6. Soak all spent fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can. Never discard fireworks, including used ones, in a fire pit.

7. Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper. This is often a sign they were made for professional use only.

More fireworks safety tips are available on the CPSC website at: www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks

If you or someone you know is injured by a firework and in need of emergency care, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room immediately. Community members should never delay or forgo emergency care, even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our communities. HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay, HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan, and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls are well-prepared to safely provide emergency care needs, 24/7.