Summer Fun Can Lead to Hand Injuries
Memorial Day weekend has finally arrived – signaling the official start of summer fun in Southeast Michigan. And with the pandemic winding down, and more than 40% of adults vaccinated, backyard Bar-B-Ques and family gatherings are back on the agenda!
But with burgers and dogs on the grill, children running with sparklers, and firework displays at night, the opportunity for serious hand injuries can increase. So along with our returning freedom from social distancing, it is important to keep some important basic safety precautions in mind.
Charcoal & Gas Grill Injuries on the Rise
According to statistics recently published by disaster remediation specialists SERVPRO, charcoal and gas grills are involved in amore than 5,000 structure fires each year. And grilling accidents result in approximately 20,000 trips to the emergency room or hospital every year. And burns to the hands and arms are the most common grilling injury.
To help prevent burns and other injuries when grilling:
- Clean grill racks and grease trays before starting.
- Check gas tank hoses for leaks at the beginning of the summer and periodically.
- Choose a safe, firm, level spot for the grill away from coolers, children, pets, awnings and hanging branches.
- Charcoal grills: use a charcoal chimney with newspaper, a charcoal starter fluid, or an electric charcoal starter plugged into an outdoor-rated extension cord.
- Gas grills: open the lid before turning on. If you smell gas after lighting, do NOT move the grill. Move away from the grill and call the fire department.
- Keep children and pets at least four to five feet away from the hot grill. Remember grill surfaces can remain hot for an hour or more.
- Use long-handled grill utensils in good condition.
- Avoid loose, flowing clothing.
- Wear flame-retardant mitts to adjust vents to help prevent burns.
- Keep baking soda within reach to control grease fires.
- Have a fire extinguisher, a garden hose, or a bucket of sand handy to extinguish spark-triggered fires.
- NEVER attempt to move a hot grill.
Fireworks Injuries
Amateur detonated fireworks resulted in an estimated 10,000 injuries treated in emergency rooms – including 12 fatalities – across the U.S. in 2019. The estimated rate of fireworks-related ER visits in the United States is an astounding 3.1 per every 100,000 individuals, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSD) 2020 Annual Fireworks Report.
According to that report, the body parts most often injured were hands and fingers accounting for 30% of fireworks injuries – with 10% of injuries affecting the arms. Burns were the most common injury to hands, fingers, and arms -representing 58% percent of ER-treated fireworks injuries.
Eye injuries accounted for an estimated 15 percent of fireworks injuries, with head, face, and ears comprising another estimated 15%.
percent).
Many memorial Day and 4th of July injuries happen because young children handle fireworks that people think are less powerful, such as sparklers. But sparklers actually burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which can melt some metals and leave 3rd degree burns. In 2018, sparklers and bottle rockets caused an estimated 700 ER visits to CPSC – with children between the ages of 10 and 14 being the most common victims.
To help prevent fireworks injuries:
- Only light fireworks one at a time, then move away from them quickly.
- Do not throw fireworks, or shoot fireworks out of a metal or glass container.
- After fireworks are done burning, douse them with plenty of water before handling or discarding
- Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
- Parents should not allow young children to handle, use or be in the vicinity of detonated fireworks.
- Teens should only handle fireworks under the close supervision of adults.
- Never use homemade fireworks.
Taking precautions beforehand, when grilling or enjoying fireworks, will help you enjoy this summer holiday while keeping yourself and your loved ones safe!
Southeast Michigan Hand Specialist
If you are suffering from an injury or pain in your fingers, wrist, elbow or arm – due to summer fun or any other cause – contact board certified Southwest Michigan hand specialist Doctor Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with any injury or medical conditions, early intervention and treatment is the most effective way to prevent complications or long-term damage to the hands or limbs
Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and offer the most advanced procedures that are best for your condition.
