UT Health East Texas urges safety this Fourth of July

Tyler, Texas (June 23, 2025) — Every year, thousands of people are injured badly enough after fireworks-related incidents to require medical treatment during the July 4 holiday, with children and young adults suffering many of those injuries.

While the majority of these injuries result from amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, less powerful devices such as small firecrackers and even sparklers also can cause significant injuries.

“We have seen all sorts of injuries in our emergency room during the July 4 holiday, including children burned by sparklers, which burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals,” said Brittany Ray, RN, trauma services education and injury prevention specialist. “The last thing anyone wants is for an injury to ruin their holiday, so we advise everyone to take simple steps to remain safe this Fourth of July.”

If you are planning to use any type of fireworks, she advises the following:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks
• Keep a bucket of water or garden hose handy
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully
• Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs

Ray said the emergency department typically sees an increase in hand, finger, face and eye injuries during the July 4 holiday due to fireworks-related injuries, but said the holiday can also bring an influx of patients suffering from heat-related illness, food poisoning and excess alcohol consumption. She also cautioned that the holiday can result in increased car accidents and swimming-related accidents.

She added that the emergency department has seen a slight increase in water injuries this year, and therefore urged the following precautions:

• Designate a sober adult responsible for monitoring the safety of anyone in the water.
• Use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when entering area rivers and lakes (both swimming and boating).
• Ensure pool access is restricted with fencing and locked gates/doors to prevent access when swimming is not being monitored.
• Stay sober when operating watercrafts such as boats or personal watercraft.

“We ask that everyone please keep safety in mind this Fourth of July, whether that’s practicing fireworks safety, making sure you stay hydrated or being mindful to not let food sit out too long. Also, please don’t drink and drive, be sure to wear your seat belt, and always designate a sober person to watch children in the water to ensure a safe holiday,” Ray said. “We would much rather you enjoy your holiday than have to take a trip to the emergency room.”

About UT Health East Texas

UT Health East Texas provides care to thousands of patients each year through an extensive regional network that includes nine hospitals, more than 90 clinics, the Olympic Plaza Tower, 13 regional rehabilitation facilities, two freestanding emergency centers, regional home health services, an EMS fleet of more than 65 ambulances and four helicopters, and a comprehensive eight-trauma center care network, including the region’s only Level 1 trauma facility.

As a partner with The University of Texas System, UT Health East Texas is uniquely positioned to provide patients with access to leading-edge research and clinical therapies while training and educating the next generation of physicians and other health professionals. The nationally recognized UT System also includes The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, as well as three other major university medical centers located throughout the state.