Emergency Room Physician Says Simple Precautions Can Prevent Holiday Injuries
(UCBJ) – Cookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) is reminding residents to take precautions during Fourth of July celebrations to avoid common holiday injuries and health emergencies, including burns from fireworks and grills, foodborne illness and heat-related illness.
“The Fourth of July is one of the most celebrated holidays of the year, but it also brings a spike in preventable emergencies,” said Dr. Samantha McLerran, Medical Director of the Emergency Room at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. “A few simple precautions can make all the difference between a fun celebration and a trip to the emergency room.”
Cookeville Regional Medical Center recommends grills be placed at least 10 feet from any structure. Perishable food should not be left out for more than one hour in extreme heat or more than two hours when temperatures are below 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The hospital also recommends using a meat thermometer to ensure food is cooked to safe internal temperatures. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, poultry should reach 165 degrees, ground meats 160 degrees and whole cuts of beef, pork and lamb 145 degrees.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks caused approximately 13,000 injuries in 2025. Cookeville Regional Medical Center said it continues to treat fireworks-related injuries during the holiday period each year.
Residents who use consumer fireworks should follow all manufacturer guidelines and never attempt to relight a firework that fails to ignite. Fireworks should never be held in the hand, pointed at another person or lit while hovering over them. The hospital recommends lighting fireworks at least 30 to 35 feet from spectators and flammable materials and keeping a bucket of water nearby. Fireworks should never be handled while consuming alcohol.
Additional fireworks safety information is available at cpsc.gov/fireworks.
With summer temperatures expected to remain high, the medical center encourages residents to stay hydrated, limit direct sun exposure, wear appropriate clothing, avoid the hottest parts of the day when possible and monitor vulnerable family members, including young children, older adults and those with chronic health conditions.
In the event of a medical emergency, residents should call 911 or visit Cookeville Regional Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Blvd., Cookeville.
Photo courtesy of CRMC.
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