KC area hospitals report more than 100 fireworks-related injuries around Fourth of July
Hospitals across the Kansas City metro treated more than 100 fireworks-related injuries in the last week over the Fourth of July holiday.
Children’s Mercy treated 39 patients for fireworks-related injuries since last Monday, with most of the injuries impacting patients’ hands and fingers or eyes, heads and faces.
The University of Kansas Health System, which includes campuses in Olathe, Liberty and Miami County as well as the Burnett Burn Center, treated 49 fireworks-related injuries since last Monday.
Staff treated 36 male patients and 13 female patients between the ages of 6 and 73 for injuries to their face, eyes, hands and legs.
The Saint Luke’s Health System reported 14 fireworks-related injuries at its locations across the metro area since Wednesday.
The National Safety Council recommends anyone setting off legal fireworks or standing near them to wear protective eyewear and only use fireworks outdoors. In addition, the council recommends only lighting one firework at a time, never pointing fireworks toward someone and never relighting or handling fireworks that aren’t working.
