HOLLAND, Mich., June 26, 2025 — As families prepare to gather for Fourth of July celebrations and summer cookouts, providers from Holland Hospital’s Emergency Room (ER) aim to remind the community to prioritize safety.
While everyone wants to have a blast on the Fourth of July, Michael Lampe, DO, Trauma Medical Director at Holland Hospital, urges people to be mindful of safety best practices to minimize risk and keep accidents at bay. One common Independence Day celebration favorite, fireworks, were involved in an estimated 9,700 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2023, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report. 66% of those injuries occurred in the weeks before and after the Fourth of July holiday.
CPSC data also indicates that while fireworks injuries have shown an overall increasing trend between 2008 and 2023, emergency room visits for these incidents continue to peak around the Fourth of July, with teenagers (ages 15-19) and younger children (ages 5-9) having the highest estimated rates of injury.
“During the summer, especially around holidays like the Fourth of July, we consistently see a rise in preventable injuries,” explained Dr. Lampe. “Adhering to a few basic safety measures can make a significant difference, helping more West Michigan families have a happy and healthy holiday.”
The most common injuries seen at Holland Hospital’s ER during the summer months include preventable injuries such as firework mishaps, sunburns, dehydration, burns from outdoor cooking, and water-related injuries. Dr. Lampe suggests the following tips to keep your family safe this summer:
Firework Safety:
- Only use legal fireworks in your area and follow all local regulations.
- Leave the fireworks and sparklers to adults, encouraging kids to keep a safe distance.
- Leave fireworks to professionals and avoid using homemade or illegal fireworks.
- Always have a water source or fire extinguisher nearby in case of an accident.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
Sun Safety:
- Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher liberally and reapply every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.
- Seek shade, especially during peak sun hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Wear protective clothing, such as a hat and sunglasses, to shield yourself from the sun.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Grilling Safety:
- Place grills on a level, stable surface away from flammable materials like siding, decks, or overhanging branches.
- Never leave a grill unattended while in use.
- Keep children and pets a safe distance from the grill.
- Use long-handled utensils and wear oven mitts when grilling.
- Avoid metal wire brushes while cleaning grills.
Water Safety:
- Never allow young children or inexperienced swimmers near water without constant adult supervision. Assign a designated "water watcher" to keep a close eye on swimmers, especially in crowded settings.
- Use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for everyone who needs them, regardless of swimming ability, and be sure to choose the correct size and ensure it fits snugly.
- Never swim alone, especially in open water environments. Swim with a friend or group and let someone know where you'll be swimming and for how long.
- Avoid swimming or boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which impair judgment and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents.
Bonus tip: Alcohol and fireworks (or grills) don't mix. Keep alcohol consumption in check as impaired judgment can lead to accidents.
If you or a loved one experiences a serious life-threatening injury, call 911 or proceed to the closest emergency room. For non-life-threatening conditions, Holland Hospital offers several convenient options for quality care: Virtual Visits, Walk-In Care, and Urgent Care. Learn more at hollandhospital.org/convenient-care.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Jessica Meldrum, MS, APR
jmeldrum@hollandhospital.org
June 26, 2025