Dr. Nesochi discusses how to avoid an emergency room visit this Fourth of July on Forbes.
11 Common Reasons For Emergency Room Visits Over Fourth Of July Weekend And How To Avoid It
For most of us, the Fourth of July weekend is a time for celebration, barbeque, and spending quality time with friends and family. However, for many doctors, this is a busy time treating the many holiday related injuries. I interviewed several physicians on common causes for emergency room visits and what you can do to ensure a happy and safe Fourth of July.
1. Pay Careful Attention To Food Preparation To Avoid Food Poisoning
This can be related to food borne bacteria from undercooked or improperly prepared food. It is crucial to ensure that you are eating well cooked food during your next barbecue. Avoid eating any perishable food that has been sitting around for more than an hour or two. Certain temperature ranges provide the optimal environment for food borne bacteria to proliferate. I often see patients being admitted to the hospital for food poisoning that explains to me that they indulged in something that was sitting out for a while because the food item still looked and smelled fine to them. Just because a certain food looks or smells alright, does not mean it is devoid of bacteria or safe to eat.
A few other tips to avoid food poisoning: While preparing your food, make sure your raw meat never comes in contact with other food. Keeping your raw items separate from other food is a must! Also, always remember to wash your hands while cooking and preparing your meal.
— Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, M.D, M.S attending physician at NYU Langone Medical Center
Remember to keep hot foods hot (>140F) and cold foods cold (<40F). When outdoor temperatures are greater than 90F, bacteria can multiply rapidly and lead to foodborne illness if these foods are in the in the danger zone (40-140F) for more than an hour.
— David J. Mathison, M.D., MBA, Mid-Atlantic Regional Medical Director, PM Pediatrics, Pediatric Emergency Physician
2. Sparklers Are Not For Children!
As innocuous as they seem, sparklers burn at temperatures over 1800 F. After all, those pretty colors come from burning metals. You wouldn’t let your 4 year old play with a 350 degree oven so why let them play with sparklers? I can’t tell you how many injuries I have seen — serious burns on hands, forearms, feet. A spark can also land on clothing, causing it to catch fire — which absolutely can happen.
— Dr. Jamie Coleman, trauma surgeon, author of Hot Heels, Cool Kicks, & a Scalpel
Injuries usually occur when holding sparklers for an extended period of time, getting alarmed and panicked by their intensity and also by attempting to re-ignite sparkles. I highly recommend having a bucket of water at the ready when dealing with these fireworks. If the sparkle fails to ignite or it fizzles out ahead of time, immediately discard it into the water bucket.
Wear protective gloves, long-sleeved shirts and long trousers when handling them in order to avoid stray spark landing on exposed skin. Do not ignite sparkles in enclosed spaces or near any flammable objects. Always face the sparkle straight opposite your body and away from any surrounding people, do not aim them above your head or at your feet. Above all, never handle fireworks of any kind if under the influence of alcohol or any recreational drug.
— Alina Baciu, General Surgery Resident and editor for TryHealthier.com
3. Don’t Ever Point Firework At Other People
Your mother was right — firework can take an eye out. I’ve seen it.— Dr. Jamie Coleman, trauma surgeon, author of Hot Heels, Cool Kicks, & a Scalpel
If you do light fireworks, “walk away quickly after lighting it, light only one firework at a time and have water close by.” Dr. Jessica Summers, trauma surgeon at Nebraska Medicine
4. Leave the fireworks to the professionals!
Any time you light a fuse on a $2 firework, you are trusting that $2 fuse to work properly and not blow one of you fingers off. I don’t “trust” anything for $2.
— Dr. Jamie Coleman, trauma surgeon, author of Hot Heels, Cool Kicks, & a Scalpel
In 2015, 25% of U.S. emergency department visits for firework-related injuries were in children under 14 years of age who probably shouldn’t be handling or in close proximity to fireworks in the first place! TIP: Keep fireworks away from small children!
— David J. Mathison, M.D., MBA, Mid-Atlantic Regional Medical Director, PM Pediatrics, Pediatric Emergency Physician
5. Dehydration And Heat Stroke
Many people are out in the sun and heat for extended period of time on Fourth of July. Maintenance of adequate hydration throughout the day is key, especially if you are engaging in strenuous outdoor sports and activities. Always have water with you and make sure you are actually drinking it. Stay in a shaded area as much as possible. I routinely have patients that come to the hospital on July 4th with signs and symptoms of severe dehydration that end up having to be hospitalized and treated.
— Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, M.D, M.S attending physician at NYU Langone Medical Center
6. Avoid Sunburn
Wear sunscreen and protective clothing to shield you from the sun, especially during peak times of the day. In very severe cases of sunburn, one can experience blistering of the skin, sloughing off of the skin, and extensive skin damage. This is not a condition you want to take lightly by any means, especially considering that experiencing several severe sunburns can increase your risk for skin cancers.
— Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, M.D, M.S attending physician at NYU Langone Medical Center
7. Motor Vehicle Accidents Related To Drunk Driving Or Distracted Driving
During the summer months there is an increased number of automobile accidents. Stay safe this holiday weekend by doing a few things — Do not drink and drive! Do not get in a car with with a driver that has been drinking! Take the car keys away from anyone that has been drinking and thinks they are able to operate a vehicle while inebriated! Do not text and drive! Do not talk on the phone and drive! You must always remain focused while driving on the road and make sure you always have your seatbelt on.
— Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, M.D, M.S attending physician at NYU Langone Medical Center
8. Don’t Drink And Operate A Boat
Drinking and driving is stupid with a car… And just as stupid with a boat. Boating accidents are common, and are increased significantly when the person operating the boat is inebriated. I have seen what a boat propeller can do to a leg, and trust me, it ain’t pretty.
— Dr. Jamie Coleman, trauma surgeon, author of Hot Heels, Cool Kicks, & a Scalpel
9. Protect Your Head! Wear A Helmet
If you are going to be riding a motorcycle or engaging in dangerous sports this weekend, wear a helmet! I have treated hundreds of head injuries and it can be devastating. Fourth of July weekend is an excellent time for a motorcycle ride (I am a motorcyclist myself). Although it feels really cool to have the wind blowing through your hair as you cruise the countryside on your “hawg,” you may never remember that feeling if you are in an accident and sustain a head injury. Your family needs you – wear a helmet!
— Peter J. Osterbauer, M.D., Neurologist
10. Watch Your Feet And Keep Your Shoes On
I see several people come into my office after stepping on sharp objects like glass from broken bottles or glasses after their July 4th party! Many people walk and dance barefoot, because it’s the summer! They should see a specialist right away and avoid putting pressure on the area in order to prevent the foreign body from moving on being pushed deeper.
— Dr. Suzanne C. Fuchs, foot and ankle specialist, health and wellness expert and blogger
11. No Diving!
Injuries to the brain and spine is commonly related to head first diving into pools causing cervical spine injuries that can possibly lead to paralysis as well as brain injuries including concussion.
— Sumeet Vadera, M.D., neurosurgeon at University of California
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