With July 4 rapidly approaching, adults and children alike can learn some basic prevention tips to avoid tragedies with fireworks, drownings/near-drownings and alcohol related accidents.

-10,000 people will seek emergency medical attention for fireworks-related injuries this year.

-5,000 children are hospitalized every year in the United States due to near-drownings and water-related incidents (National Safety Council).

-Each year in Georgia, more than 500 people are killed in crashes where alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two are involved.

June is National Fireworks Safety Month: 10,000 people will seek emergency medical attention for fireworks-related injuries this year. Most of the damage occurs to the hands, eyes, face and torso, and males are three times more likely to experience serious medical trauma (Consumer Product Safety Commission). While sparklers are legal in Georgia, they’re also the leading cause of fireworks injuries to children under five years old. Here is some general information about fireworks and proper handling:

-Always have an adult present.

-Always have water nearby. A garden hose or large bucket works best.

-Light one firework at a time.

-Never re-light “dud” fireworks. Do not handle for 20 minutes, soak it in water and dispose in the trash.

-Dispose of all fireworks properly. Soak them in water before throwing them in your trash.

WATER SAFETY: Drowning is the second leading cause of all injury-related deaths in children 1-14 years old, resulting in nearly 1,000 deaths each year (CDC). Basic water safety tips include:

-Get help immediately or call 911 if you suspect someone is in danger of drowning.

-Make sure that children are always supervised by a competent adult. Only swim in supervised areas and never swim alone. Even strong swimmers can have medical emergencies in the water.

-Watch for the “dangerous too’s”- too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun and too much strenuous activity.

-Keep basic lifesaving equipment by pools and swimming areas, and know how to use it, including a reaching pole, first aid kit, flotation device and immobilization board.

-For child safety, enclose pool areas with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars.

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