Medical centers warn New Yorkers of firework injury risks ahead of Fourth of July
Last year, the city’s Department of Health saw more firework-related injuries than they did in 2021.
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Medical centers, like University Hospital at SUNY Downstate, are getting ready for a possible influx of patients injured from setting off illegal fireworks for Fourth of July.
“This is an exciting holiday that everyone loves to celebrate, especially in New York,” said Dr. Ninfa Mehta, emergency department medical manager at University Hospital. “We definitely worry about firework injuries on the Fourth of July… You have to worry about injuries to your hands, injuries to your legs, often amputation injuries, burn injuries which are very common."
Dr. Mehta and her colleagues are on standby for these potential injuries. Last year, the city’s Department of Health saw more firework-related injuries than they did in 2021. Over 10,000 visited their nearby hospitals as a result of firework-related injuries last year across the United States.
Fire officials also say that most injuries happen to kids 14 and under, many of whom are bystanders.
MORE: FDNY Firework Safety Tips
