COLUMBUS, Ohio — As many people prepare for the Fourth of July, an emergency physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center shares why he thinks you should leave the fireworks to the professionals.
Dr. Nicholas Kman sees kids with burns from sparklers and says most injuries come from backyard amateurs. A lot of times, alcohol is involved and the people setting off fireworks don't have the experience of doing it.
"Unfortunately, a firework will tip over, something will catch on fire or They'll try to re-light a wick that didn't go off, and we'll see a hand injury or a burn. Those are things we want people to be thoughtful of," Dr. Kman said.
Dr. Kman stresses the importance of basic first aid skills. He said having the confidence to use them when needed saves lives.
A new OSU Wexner Medical Center survey found that many Americans are ill-prepared to help in emergencies. The national poll found that 49% of those surveyed could help if someone was seriously bleeding.
This is why Dr. Kman offers a free stop-the-bleed course through Ohio State. If people don't take his class, he encourages families to take other first-aid courses.
"I think that something that we really try to tell people is we're lucky we do have a lot of healthcare in the city, but it's going to take time for the paramedics to get there and you're up until they do," Dr. Kman said.
If you are going out to see the fireworks in your city, he said to know where the EMS and first aid stations are.
"If you're playing with fireworks at all, If you're using them, always have a bucket of water next to you. Regardless of whether the firework goes off, when you're done with it, place it in the bucket, because that way you ensure that it is out," State Fire Marshal Fire Prevention Bureau Chief Anita Metheny said.
In 2023, there were around 130 fires caused by fireworks in Ohio and the State Fire Marshal said they caused $700,000 in damages.