Covenant Doctor gives advice on enjoying fireworks - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

6/25/09

Covenant Doctor gives advice on enjoying fireworks without ending up in the ER

Posted:

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) - The Fourth of July holiday is a favorite for many families across the nation, but not so for doctors in the emergency room. Dr. Mike O'Neill a Covenant emergency room doctor gives this advice so that you can enjoy the fireworks and not end up in the ER.

"If you're going to shoot fireworks and you're the shooter, you need to wear eye protection. Remember alcohol and fireworks do not mix. The person who shoots them should be of age. There are recommendations on the packages. Follow them," says Dr. O'Neill.

The latest numbers indicate that there were over 9,000 injuries from fireworks and 11 different fatal injuries in the United State in 2006. Dr. O'Neill says half of those deaths involved untrained people using professional fireworks or regular folks using fireworks that were illegal or home-made.

Also, Dr. O'Neill says remember that a third of the fireworks injuries show up in kids under the age of five mostly from sparklers which burn at a thousand degrees.

©2009 KCBD NewsChannel 11. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

  • HealthWise Health Center

  • Look inside here for the latest on children's health tips, infections, nutrition, allergies and more.

  • See inside for information on breast cancer, menopause, pregnancy, heart disease, dieting, nutrition, and the latest women's health news.

  • Learn more about the latest health concerns facing men, as well as conditions most commonly experienced like prostate cancer.

  • Get the latest on arthritis, memory loss, heart conditions, osteoporosis and the latest news on seniors' health.

  • Alzheimer's disease is a group of disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. It is marked by progressive deterioration, which affects both the memory and reasoning capabilities of an individual. Learn about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.