AVOID A FIREWORKS ACCIDENT!
STAY COOL THIS SUMMER Educate Yourself on Heat-Related Illnesses
Did you know that sparklers burn at nearly 2,000 degrees F? July isn’t just the month of America’s Independence Day; it’s also National Fireworks Safety Month! Even though fireworks are a lot of fun and may be legal in your neighborhood, it’s crucial that everyone remembers fireworks aren’t safe. They must be handled with extreme caution. Here are four fireworks safety tips to keep in mind.
No. 1: Keep a bucket of water and fire extinguisher nearby to put out fires.
When thinking about extreme and deadly weather, most people conjure up images of massive tornadoes in the Midwest or hurricanes and flooding in the Southeast. But you might be surprised to learn that the deadliest extreme weather event is excessive heat. In fact, according to a study from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), heat causes more deaths each year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined . Since 2020 was the second warmest year on record and all the other years in the top 10 have occurred since 2005, it’s time to wise up about heat-related illnesses. Heat-Related Illnesses and Risk Factors According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heat-related illnesses are caused by “exposure to extreme heat where the body becomes unable to properly cool, resulting in a rapid rise in body temperature.” There are several kinds of heat-related illnesses. The least severe are heat rashes, sunburn, and heat cramps, and the most serious are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. While anyone can experience these illnesses if they overexert themselves in hot weather, some groups are more at risk than others, including: • Children under the age of 4 and adults over the age of 65 • People with preexisting medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease • People who are overweight • People taking certain kinds of medication • Individuals who are intoxicated or drink excessively Symptoms to Watch Out For Both heat exhaustion and heat stroke have many of the same symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, and passing out. But other symptoms help differentiate the two. Heat stroke victims will have hot, red skin that may be dry or damp, and they’ll likely have a fast, strong pulse. By contrast, victims of heat exhaustion will have cold, pale, and clammy skin and a fast but weak pulse. Heat stroke is a medical emergency requiring professional medical attention immediately. You should also seek medical help for anyone exhibiting the above symptoms who is also throwing up or whose symptoms are getting worse or last longer than one hour. For a complete list of symptoms and treatment for all heat-related illnesses, visit CDC. gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html . Stay cool this summer and prevent heat-related illnesses by seeking shade or staying indoors on hot days, avoiding exerting yourself in the heat, and drinking plenty of water!
Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires every year. If you’re setting off fireworks this month, buy a fire extinguisher — its initial $20–$40 cost may save your home from thousands of dollars worth of damage. Also, it’ll keep your family safe when you need it most!
No. 2: Make sure all children are a safe distance from fireworks.
Did you know that in 2017, over 50% of fireworks injuries were to children and young adults under the age of 20 years old? Make sure that adults are the only ones allowed to set off your fireworks. If your children do play with sparklers, also ensure they’re under parental supervision at all times. As previously mentioned, a sparkler’s incredibly high temperatures can cause serious burns or set fires. WHY ‘SLIP AND FALL’ CASES ARE IMPORTANT Sometimes people hear the term “slip and fall” about a lawsuit and they think, “Not another frivolous court case.” However, slip-and- fall lawsuits can be quite severe. Especially as you age, falling can be an incident that permanently affects your health. Property owners must be held accountable for leaving their public spaces in dangerous conditions; this includes torn carpeting, uneven flooring, poor lighting, narrow stairs, or unmarked wet floors.
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