7/1/2010 - Staying Safe This 4th of July

Adventist Medical Center Advises on Most Common Independence Day Injuries and How to Avoid Them

July 1, 2010 -- Adventist Medical Center (AMC), serving the Greater Portland and Vancouver, Wash., metropolitan area, shares five of the most common health risks that occur during the 4th of July weekend and tips on how to avoid harm. The Portland hospital encourages area residents to act responsibly and be aware of these common dangers to help avoid accidents and injury during the summer’s biggest holiday weekend.

“We’ve found that the 4th of July has become one of the most dangerous holidays of the entire year,” said Dr. Erik Egsieker, medical director for emergency services at Adventist Medical Center. “The accessibility of fireworks, increased traffic, combined with excessive alcohol consumption makes for a triple threat of danger. We encourage everyone to be extra safe by using common sense and acting responsibly this holiday weekend.”

1. Fireworks--More than 7,000 people nationwide were sent to the emergency room in 2008 for fireworks related injuries. Injuries to bystanders are more common than to those igniting fireworks and children and teens are at the highest risk, with burns, blindness, head and eye injuries topping the list of potential injuries.

Safety Check:

• Don’t allow children to play with, set off or pick up left over fireworks which can still be active;


• Keep a bucket of water or hose handy;


• Remember that even fireworks approved for consumers can be dangerous;


• Enjoy displays conducted by trained professionals instead.

2. Water Sports – along with fireworks, water sports are the most popular ways to enjoy the 4th of July. Safety Check:

• Don’t assume others are watching kids in the water, have an assigned chaperone to supervise swimmers


• Boat traffic is typically high so be alert and wear a life jacket;


• Avoid alcohol while on the water.

3. Alcohol Consumption--Drinking alcohol can be dangerous when combined with fireworks, water sports and driving. Safety Check:

• If you choose to drink alcohol, do so responsibly;


• Always appoint a designated driver.

4. Food Poisoning—Day long picnics are a 4th of July tradition for many but leaving food to sit in the warm sun all day can invite food borne illnesses. Safety Check:

• Thoroughly cook all chicken, hamburgers, hotdogs and other meat on the grill;


• Keep picnic foods—especially mayonnaise and egg-based dishes—cold and out of the sun.

5. Sun Exposure—Enjoy the summer sun but beat the heat and potentially painful sunburn. Safety Check:

• Drink plenty of water;


• Use sunscreen liberally and apply regularly;


• Wear protective clothing, hats and sunglasses.

“In short, do your best NOT to see us in the Emergency Department this weekend,” added Dr. Egsieker.

About Adventist Medical Center

Adventist Medical Center (AMC), located in southeast Portland, Ore., is a nonprofit, 302-bed acute care facility, offering a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency services throughout the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area. The faith-based health system prides its self on providing care you can have faith in and is home to the Northwest Regional Heart Center (NRHC), respected nationally for their care of cardiac patients.

Adventist Medical Center is part of Adventist Health, a not-for-profit, faith-based health system operating in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Founded on the Seventh-day Adventist heritage of Christian health care, Adventist Health is comprised of 18 hospitals with more than 2,800 beds, nearly 18,000 employees, numerous clinics and outpatient facilities, the largest system of rural health clinics in California, 15 home care agencies and three joint-venture retirement centers with a fourth on the way. For more information, visit www.adventisthealthnw.com or www.adventisthealth.org.

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