Story Created:
Jul 2, 2009 at 5:25 PM CST
Story Updated:
Jul 2, 2009 at 5:38 PM CST
Independence Day can mean a trip to the emergency room if you're not careful.
Doctors at OU Medical Center say they've treated about 15 patients over the last two years who have received injuries because of fireworks. The injuries occurred in the days surrounding the July 4th holiday.
The most common injuries are to the hands, fingers, eyes and face.
Dr. Bob Letton, a pediatric trauma surgeon at OU Medical Center, says most injuries can be prevented with a few precautions and common sense.
"Adult supervision, leave the big fireworks to the professionals and try to make sure they're not doing crazy dangerous things as a stunt with fireworks and hopefully we can get through this week with a minimum of admissions and injuries," says Letton.
Letton also says don't allow children under 12 ignite fireworks, keep a bucket of water nearby, wear eye protection and dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water before throwing them away.
