Take extra care at your Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day celebrations this year by ensuring that accidents do not interfere with summer fun. Dr. Roger Yurt, director of the Hearst Burn Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, recommends the following safety tips to avoid burns from barbecues, fireworks and other routine activities that can pose a hazard this season.
Barbecue tips:
* Always open the cover before lighting a gas grill.
* Under no circumstances should you use your grill indoors.
* Always light the match before turning on the propane gas.
Fireworks displays:
* Fireworks and sparklers should be handled by trained professionals. Sparklers can get as hot as 1,200 degrees!
* Stay at least 500 feet away from the fireworks display.
Outdoor activities:
* ALWAYS wear sunscreen to avoid serious and painful sunburns.
* When playing in the sand or on playground surfaces, always wear shoes to avoid injuries and burns to the feet. Playground surfaces can reach temperatures of 180 degrees.
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