Planning on using fireworks for the Fourth of July? One Valley trauma surgeon is urging people to find safe ways to celebrate Independence Day.
Arizona allows for certain types of personal fireworks to be used through July 6.
Dr. Jordan Weinberg with Dignity Health St Joseph’s Hospital in Phoenix says even permitted devices come with risk.
“Legal ones are still dangerous, they are basically small explosives,” Weinberg said. “For example, lighting it while holding it in your hand often results in injuries to the hand. Particularly blast injuries that can result in you losing a finger or thumb.
“Likely for the folks that are injured in that way, were handling them inappropriately, probably weren’t thinking about the underlying danger,” he said.
Weinberg suggests anyone planning to use fireworks should do so in an open area, stand at least 25 to 30 feet away from the firework, and have water or fire extinguisher ready.
