This 4th of July you may be celebrating the holiday with fireworks, grilling at the barbecue, or spending the day at the beach or pool. While these activities are fun and festive ways to celebrate, it is important to remember they can quickly turn dangerous.
The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, an RWJBarnabas Health facility and New Jersey’s only certified Burn Center is here to share some tips to keep in mind.
Grill and Firework Safety
- Make sure children and pets are at least three feet away from the grill or fire pit.
- When finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before properly disposing
- Sparklers and ground-based novelty fireworks, although legal, are extremely dangerous. Instead visit a local park to safely view a fireworks display.
- In case a fire starts, make sure to have a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of water nearby. Only use a fire extinguisher to put out a grill fire.
Tips for Visiting the Beach, Park or Pool
- Wearing flip-flops or water shoes when going to the beach or at the pool helps protect your feet. As temperatures reach 90 degrees, sand can heat up to over 120 degrees, which is hot enough to cause second or third degree burns in minutes. Pavement also absorbs enough heat to cause skin to burn.
- Playground equipment, such as uncoated metal slides or swings and plastic surfaces with prolonged exposure from direct sun, can heat up enough to become dangerous. Always check equipment before allowing children to climb and play.
- Don’t forget about your pets. Walking on these surfaces can be just as dangerous for them too.
- If a burn does occur, cool immediately with water, not ice. Seek medical attention for any burn that blisters larger than a person’s hand.
Preparing if it Storms
- If a storm comes up suddenly and you find yourself caught outside, look for an enclosed structure, such as a building or motor vehicle. If you are unable to reach shelter, move to a low-lying area, away from wide-open spaces, tall trees, poles, or metal objects.
- Stay away from metal items, including bleachers, fences, baseball bats, tent poles, golf clubs and other sports-related equipment. Keep twice as far away from an object as it is high (move 20 feet away from a 10-foot pole).
- Move at least 100 yards inshore away from all water, lakes or pools.
- Do not huddle together as a group. Instead, spread out at least 15 feet from one another to minimize the risk of being struck.
- Become a smaller target by assuming a lightning crouch. Squat low to the ground; keep feet together and your head tucked low, covering your ears to minimize hearing damage.
About The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center is the only state-certified burn treatment facility in New Jersey, and one of the largest in North America. With 12 intensive care beds and an 18-bed step-down Unit for less critically injured patients, The Burn Center provides expert care for patients of all ages. For more information, visit our website at www.njburncenter.com.