Last week I participated in a county wide emergency preparedness drill. I received a letter from our local hospital asking me to help out with this drill since I am a teen volunteer. The drill was very confidential to the hospital staff, local police, and ambulance service and area fire departments. The only people that knew of the drill were the volunteers, chiefs of police, fire and emergency medical technicians and a few organizers at the hospital.

When I arrived at the hospital the morning of the drill the volunteers and I were given the information on the emergency scenario and then we were bused to the site of the drill. The scenario was “fireworks display gone haywire”. My job was to pretend I had an abdominal wound from the firework explosion. Others had to pretend to be blinded, burned or maimed in some fashion. This drill was also going to involve many of the other departments of the hospital so we even had a pregnant lady that was “injured” at the site.

As the call was made to 911 we waited for the emergency personnel to arrive to tend to our wounds. Of course once the call was sent out the police, fire, EMS and hospital all knew this was a drill but they all had to react as if it were a true emergency.

Once they arrived on the scene the EMS asked me several questions and I told them all I could about my “abdominal wound”. They got me stabilized and whisked me away in the ambulance to the emergency room. There in the emergency room I was miraculously healed and sent home.

All this got me thinking about the Fourth of July and safety issues that surround this holiday. I love the holiday not only for what it means to America but what it also means to my little sister. I enjoy the celebrations and fireworks but as the big sister I am also concerned that Gracie stays safe as our family celebrates together.

I found out most pre-school age children are hurt by fireworks ignited by someone else, while older children who are hurt are usually lighting the fireworks themselves. I also learned children under five years old are commonly injured by rocket-type fireworks. Children between the ages of 5 and 14 are injured by small firecrackers and ground spinners.

I also learned in 2005, approximately 10,800 people were treated at emergency rooms and four people died from firework-related injuries. Also approximately 5% of these injuries required hospitalization.

Another interesting safety concern I found is the danger of glow sticks. Since glow sticks are popular around this time they can also be very dangerous if not handled properly. Glow sticks can become a hazard if the plastic is punctured or torn. The chemicals in glow sticks may cause irritation to the skin. It can also be a hazard if the chemical is swallowed. If the chemical does get on your skin you need to wash the area in which the skin has been exposed with soap and water. Throw away the glow stick immediately. If the chemical is swallowed you need to see a doctor or call poison control immediately.

Sparklers can be dangerous and they are the second highest cause of fireworks related injuries, which require trips to the emergency room. Sparklers can heat up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is those put on by professionals. You do not need to get close to the display. The best view is from several hundred yards away. Another important safety tip is if debris falls nearby, do not touch or go near it.

You may at a private gathering where fireworks are being displayed so you might want to remember a few tips.
· Avoid sparklers because they can catch your clothing on fire.
· Remember to keep your distance from people who are using sparklers or lighting fireworks. Bystanders are more frequently hurt by fireworks than the people who are using them!
· In the event of an injury remember to stay calm. If your clothes catch on fire the most important thing is to stop, drop and roll.
· If you get debris in your eye from a fireworks explosion it is important that you do not rub or rinse your eye. You need to have your parents take you to the emergency department immediately.
· If you see children playing with fireworks or doing something that looks unsafe then you need to tell an adult.

Have a safe and enjoyable 4th of July!

Story related links:

http://safetycenter.navy.mil/ashore/recreation/safetybriefs/fireworksBrief.htm

http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fworks.htm

www.glowsticksdirect.com.

http://girlpower.gov/girlarea/06jun/fireworks.htm