Playing Safe on July 4th

With the 4th of July in just a few days, Floyd Valley Healthcare wants to help keep our communities safe while celebrating with family and friends.  By following a few safety precautions, your holiday should be enjoyable for all.

While there are a number of reasons one may need to seek health treatment during the holiday, the CDC encourages us to prioritize firework safety, sun protection and food safety.  Nationally, urgent care clinics see a 28.8% increase in volume over the 4th of July holiday weekend and emergency departments see nearly 45,000 people daily on not only July 4th but also July 5th.

Here are just a few suggestions to make sure your celebrations stay fun and safe.

Fireworks Safety:

  • Attend professional shows: Opt for professionally managed fireworks displays to minimize risk. 
  • Never give fireworks to children: Even sparklers can be dangerous, causing burns and eye injuries. 
  • Use fireworks responsibly: If using fireworks, maintain a safe distance, light one at a time, and never point them at others. 
  • Never re-light malfunctioning fireworks: Soak them in water for a few hours before discarding. 
  • Be aware of fire hazards: Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby to extinguish fireworks or in case of fire. 

Sun Safety:

  • Seek shade: Limit sun exposure during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). 
  • Wear sunscreen: Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming. 
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water, especially when outdoors. 

Food Safety:

  • Keep food cold: Use insulated coolers to keep food at or below 40°F.
  • Avoid cross-contamination: Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw and cooked foods.
  • Cook food to safe internal temperatures: Use a food thermometer to ensure meats are cooked to the correct temperature.
  • Wash hands frequently: Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling food. 

If you should need traumatic medical treatment, please call 911 for emergency transport.  The Floyd Valley Emergency Department is fully staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year for those needing emergent care.  For minor injuries, urgent care is also available July 5th and 6th at the new location at 1080 Holton Drive in Le Mars during normal urgent care hours.