Medical group urges caution during Fourth of July

As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, the Minnesota Medical Association encourages Minnesotans to take great care around fireworks of any kind.

“The MMA encourages extreme caution when it comes to fireworks. In fact, our policy supports the prohibition on the sales of fireworks,” said MMA President Lyle Swenson, M.D. “Too many youth suffer eye and hand injuries due to fireworks each summer. Similar to the American Academy of Pediatrics, we feel the best way to celebrate Independence Day is to leave the fireworks up to professionals.”

Each year, thousands of Americans visit hospital emergency departments because of injuries caused by fireworks. According to the Minnesota Safety Council (MSC), children under the age of 14 are the most vulnerable. The MSC reports that according to 2009 data, the risk of injury was twice as high for children ages 10 to 14 as the general population. Sparklers and novelties alone accounted for 32 percent of the emergency room fireworks injuries.

About the Minnesota Medical Association

The Minnesota Medical Association is a non-profit professional association representing physicians, residents and medical students, working together for a healthy Minnesota. With more than 10,000 members, the MMA is an advocate on health care issues at the State Capitol and in Washington D.C. Find the MMA online at www.mnmed.org.

Tags: news, updates, fireworks, safety