Why July 4th is one of America's most dangerous holidays, according to ER doctors
According to ER doctors and official data, Independence Day consistently sees the highest number of daily medical emergencies, with more than 45,000 people visiting hospitals on July 4 and 5 each year.
Also Read:
Chico cancels July 4 event after 'unpermitted' fireworks warehouse explodes
Fireworks remain the most dramatic and visible source of injury. ERs across the country report a sharp increase in hand and facial burns, traumatic wounds, and eye injuries caused by fireworks mishandled or detonated too close to people.
Live Events
Children are particularly vulnerable. Doctors report cases involving corneal burns, eye scratches, and even permanent vision loss due to flying debris. In some instances, the loud explosions from firecrackers have led to temporary or long-term hearing damage, especially in younger children.
Dr. Ryan Marino, an ER doctor and associate professor at Case Western Reserve University, told the New York Post that fireworks are only part of the story. 'This time of year, we see big increases in traumatic injuries and heat-related illness,' he said.
While fireworks attract media attention, many patients are treated for falls, broken bones, head injuries, and car crashes. With people spending more time outdoors, engaging in physical activity, and often combining alcohol with these settings, the risk of accidents rises significantly.
Drunk driving and alcohol poisoning
Independence Day is also one of the deadliest times for drivers. The National Safety Council (NSC) projects traffic fatalities using federal data, and each year, hundreds of people lose their lives in alcohol-related road accidents around this holiday.
Also Read:
Just one hot dog a day may increase risk of diabetes and colorectal Cancer, researchers warn
Doctors also see a surge in alcohol poisoning cases. Unchecked alcohol consumption, often involving mixing drinks or excessive intake in hot conditions, leads to a range of emergencies, from violent altercations to drownings and crashes.
Grilling accidents
Outdoor grilling is a hallmark of July 4 celebrations but also a source of numerous ER visits. Doctors frequently treat injuries such as burns, deep cuts, and even explosions involving propane tanks or hot coals.
In some cases, these injuries can be life-threatening, especially when young children are nearby.
Dehydration and heat illnesses
With July temperatures often soaring, dehydration is a common but underestimated cause of emergency room visits. Many people celebrate outdoors for hours and fail to drink enough water.
Symptoms can range from dizziness and confusion to severe organ damage in extreme cases.
Also Read:
Jon Jones' retirement lasted just 14 days; is he back for Aspinall or White House glory?
Tips to stay safe this Independence day
Medical professionals recommend the following safety measures:
Supervise children around fireworks and water bodies.
Ensure life jackets are worn when boating or using personal watercraft.
Stay hydrated and limit alcohol intake, especially when swimming or in the sun.
Avoid cross-contamination while grilling by keeping raw meat separate and using clean utensils.
Keep children away from sparklers, which can reach temperatures of over 1,200°F.
Never drink and drive, designate a sober driver, or use a rideshare service.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
Why July 4th is one of America's most dangerous holidays, according to ER doctors
As millions across the United States celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, grilling, and family gatherings, emergency rooms are bracing for one of the year's busiest days. According to ER doctors and official data, Independence Day consistently sees the highest number of daily medical emergencies, with more than 45,000 people visiting hospitals on July 4 and 5 each year. Also Read: Chico cancels July 4 event after 'unpermitted' fireworks warehouse explodes Fireworks remain the most dramatic and visible source of injury. ERs across the country report a sharp increase in hand and facial burns, traumatic wounds, and eye injuries caused by fireworks mishandled or detonated too close to people. Live Events Children are particularly vulnerable. Doctors report cases involving corneal burns, eye scratches, and even permanent vision loss due to flying debris. In some instances, the loud explosions from firecrackers have led to temporary or long-term hearing damage, especially in younger children. Dr. Ryan Marino, an ER doctor and associate professor at Case Western Reserve University, told the New York Post that fireworks are only part of the story. 'This time of year, we see big increases in traumatic injuries and heat-related illness,' he said. While fireworks attract media attention, many patients are treated for falls, broken bones, head injuries, and car crashes. With people spending more time outdoors, engaging in physical activity, and often combining alcohol with these settings, the risk of accidents rises significantly. Drunk driving and alcohol poisoning Independence Day is also one of the deadliest times for drivers. The National Safety Council (NSC) projects traffic fatalities using federal data, and each year, hundreds of people lose their lives in alcohol-related road accidents around this holiday. Also Read: Just one hot dog a day may increase risk of diabetes and colorectal Cancer, researchers warn Doctors also see a surge in alcohol poisoning cases. Unchecked alcohol consumption, often involving mixing drinks or excessive intake in hot conditions, leads to a range of emergencies, from violent altercations to drownings and crashes. Grilling accidents Outdoor grilling is a hallmark of July 4 celebrations but also a source of numerous ER visits. Doctors frequently treat injuries such as burns, deep cuts, and even explosions involving propane tanks or hot coals. In some cases, these injuries can be life-threatening, especially when young children are nearby. Dehydration and heat illnesses With July temperatures often soaring, dehydration is a common but underestimated cause of emergency room visits. Many people celebrate outdoors for hours and fail to drink enough water. Symptoms can range from dizziness and confusion to severe organ damage in extreme cases. Also Read: Jon Jones' retirement lasted just 14 days; is he back for Aspinall or White House glory? Tips to stay safe this Independence day Medical professionals recommend the following safety measures: Supervise children around fireworks and water bodies. Ensure life jackets are worn when boating or using personal watercraft. Stay hydrated and limit alcohol intake, especially when swimming or in the sun. Avoid cross-contamination while grilling by keeping raw meat separate and using clean utensils. Keep children away from sparklers, which can reach temperatures of over 1,200°F. Never drink and drive, designate a sober driver, or use a rideshare service.
NDTV
21 hours ago
- NDTV
US Police Officer, 26, Dies After Undergoing Brazilian Butt-Lift Procedure
A 26-year-old US police office has died after undergoing Brazilian Butt Lift surgery and complaining of "extreme pain" following the risky cosmetic procedure. According to People, Wildelis Rosa, who was also a US Army Reservist, died on March 23, a day after her birthday. First, she had her pre-operative blood work done at Prestige Plastic Surgery Clinic in South Florida on March 19, and then the following day, doctors removed fat from 12 different areas around her body and injected it into the buttocks. Ms Rosa paid $7,495 (approximately Rs 641,000) for the procedure. She was recovering at a short-term rental and told her family about the procedure three days after the surgery, on March 22. However, her sister, Anamin Vazquez, said that they immediately had a feeling "in our guts like something is wrong". So she texted the 26-year-old on March 22, her birthday, but there was "no answer". "I texted her and I said, 'I hope you're doing okay you're enjoying your birthday.' But there was no answer back," Ms Vazquez said. The next morning, on March 23, one of Ms Rosa's friends who was staying with her found the cop unresponsive after she collapsed in the bathroom. They immediately performed CPR on her, but she passed away. The Miami-Dade medical examiner ruled her cause of death as a pulmonary embolism from blood clots associated with cosmetic surgery, per the outlet. Ms Rosa's friend told officials that the 26-year-old went for a follow-up appointment the day after her surgery, where she complained of "extreme pain". They also said that at the rental, she was having difficulty breathing and her blood pressure had been "drastically" dropping. The day before she died, Ms Rosa reportedly also appeared pale, had dilated pupils, her lips appeared purple, and she said she had no feelings in her legs or feet, the friend said. According to People, Ms Rosa had just come back from a deployment to Kuwait as a US Army Reservist. Her sister said that she wanted her death to be a "cautionary tale for those who are thinking of having these surgeries". Notably, Ms Rosa's death marks a string of deaths related to cosmetic surgeries. According to the New York Post, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office has certified 25 deaths due to complications with cosmetic procedures, involving several different doctors and clinics over the last three and a half years.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Fourth of July: New study warns there's ‘no safe amount' of hot dogs to eat
An all-new meta-analysis has suggested that there is no safe amount of hot dogs, or any other processed food, to consume. The study, led by Dr Demewoz Haile of the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, was published in the Nature Medicine journal on June 30. Researchers found that even small daily servings of processed meat hold the potential of significantly increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and colorectal cancer, Newsweek reported. Why you should skip eating hot dogs this Fourth of July Why does this matter? This comes as Americans are celebrating Independence Day. Hot dogs remain a staple during the July 4 celebrations. According to the outlet, more than 150 million hot dogs are expected to be consumed across the United States during the Fourth of July weekend. The study contributes to the rising body of evidence that links processed meats to the risk of chronic disease. Notably, diet-related illnesses are already counted among the leading causes of death in the country. Key findings of the study As part of the analysis, the researchers took into consideration 77 different studies to find out the link between common chronic diseases and certain amounts of such food items. Dr Demewoz Haile told Fox News Digital that habitual consumption of 'even small amounts of processed meat, sugary drinks and trans fatty acids is linked to increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease and colorectal cancer.' He suggested that there was 'no safe level of habitual consumption' of such food items and has advised people to refrain from adding these to their daily diet. In terms of processed meats, the team found out that eating even 0.6 to 57 grams of it on a daily basis was linked to an 11 per cent greater likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. Moreover, daily consumption between 0.78 and 55 grams was discovered to be associated with a 7 per cent increase in colorectal cancer risk. A hot dog typically weighs around 50 grams and is made of almost entirely processed meat. Further, the study found that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, between 1.5 and 390 grams per day, might increase the risk for type 2 diabetes by 8 per cent. Also, there is a risk of ischemic heart disease if consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages ranges between 0 and 365 grams on a daily basis. FAQs: 1. What's the major takeaway from the University of Washington study? It found out that there is "no safe level of habitual consumption" of processed food items. 2. How do daily servings of processed meat affect our body? As per the study, it increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and colorectal cancer. 3. Is July 4 a federal holiday in the US? Yes. Americans are celebrating Independence Day on Friday.
