GIRMC urges caution during fireworks season

Grand Island city code permits the use of fireworks beginning today, June 28th, at 8:00 AM.

Grand Island Regional Medical Center urges caution during the fireworks season. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), a study of fireworks-related injuries in 2023 revealed the following observations:

• The highest rate of emergency department treatments occurred in teenagers, age 15-19, followed by children ages 5-9 years of age.

• An estimated 800 emergency department injuries were associated with firecrackers, and 700 with sparklers.

• Forty two percent of emergency department-treated fireworks injuries were for burns.

• The parts of the body most often injured by fireworks included hands and fingers, accounting for 35% of injures. The head, face and ears were also common injury sites.

GIRMC would like to remind our community and region of the following tips recommended by the CPSC to avoid injury:

• Do not allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of approximately 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Only purchase fireworks that are labeled for consumer use—not professional.

• Never use fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Never point or throw fireworks or sparklers at anyone.

• Keep a bucket of water or garden hose within reach in case of a fire.

• Light fireworks one at a time and move away quickly.

• Never try to relight or handle a firework that has malfunctioned. Soak malfunctioned fireworks in a bucket of water and throw them away.

• After fireworks have deployed, soak them in a bucket of water before discarding into the trash.

• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.

If you experience an injury relating to fireworks, we are ready to care for you in our Emergency Department. Our Emergency Department is located at 3533 Prairieview Street in Grand Island. Our emergency entrance is located on the west side of our facility, look for the red flags and illuminated EMERGENCY sign.