Timely Topic: Four for the Fourth—Safety Amid Celebration

06.24.2025

Across the nation on July 4, millions will venture outside for festive summer activities associated with Independence Day, but the occasion can become perilous in a variety of ways involving fireworks, sunshine and heat, water, and food.

Dr. Jane Wigginton, chief medical officer at the Texas Biomedical Device Center, medical director and co-director of the Clinical and Translational Research Center, and medical science research director at the Center for BrainHealth at The University of Texas at Dallas, has decades of experience as an emergency room physician and has seen countless summertime injuries that could have been prevented.

Here are Wigginton’s four safety tips for avoiding an ER visit.

Fireworks Safety

Wigginton said that hands and eyes are the most commonly injured body parts associated with the use of fireworks and sparklers. Although they may seem less harmful, sparklers burn at over 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to melt glass — and often end up in the hands of children. She suggested considering glow sticks for younger partygoers.

“Fireworks are not toys,” Wigginton said. “Even small ones like poppers can cause eye damage. Protective eyewear is a smart accessory. Also, distance is safety. Back away after lighting fireworks, and never approach to relight a dud.”

Wigginton also advised having a hose or bucket of water nearby and disposing of spent fireworks only after soaking them.

“Keep fireworks away from dry grass or hay,” she said. “At ranches and rural homes, one spark can set a pasture ablaze.”

Sun and Heat Safety

Although the dangers of sun exposure are well known, skin cancer rates are still rising, especially in women under 50. As a skin cancer survivor, Wigginton understands the risks. She advised reapplying sunscreen every two hours, and sooner if you get wet.

“The easiest hack is to use a Sharpie or waterproof stamp — particularly on kids — on the back of the hand or shoulder to mark who has had sunscreen applied and at what time,” she said. “I have six kids, and once their dad and I both thought the other had applied sunscreen to one of them. The poor child burned — the only sunburn of her entire life.”

Heat exhaustion also plays into the holiday preparedness equation. Headache, nausea, dizziness and confusion can all be indicators that a serious problem is developing, Wigginton said.

“If something bad appears to be happening, get the person into shade. If there is none around, try to form some, even if it’s just people standing between them and the sun,” she said. “Remove excess clothing, mist or wet them down, and fan them to promote evaporative cooling.”

Wigginton added that staying hydrated is critical.

“Young kids and older adults don’t sense heat or thirst as reliably,” she said. “Have everyone, but especially kids and older adults, drink water on a schedule. They should also take air conditioning, fan or shade breaks often.”

Dr. Jane Wigginton

Water Safety

Think you’re an excellent swimmer? Wear a lifejacket anyway, Wigginton said, because unexpected things can happen, often without warning. She recommends the “heads up” style of jacket that helps orient an unconscious person face up in the water.

“Lifejackets save lives,” she said. “Even good swimmers can get knocked unconscious in a boating or lake setting. Drowning itself is silent: There’s no splashing, no screaming, just stillness. So ears aren’t enough. Someone should have eyes on swimmers at all times.”

Wigginton advised designating a “water watcher” among the adults and rotating them every 15 minutes. That person should not be distracted by phones, alcohol or cooking.

“Learn CPR,” she added. “In my past research, when CPR was started immediately, kids had dramatically better outcomes. Seconds matter.”

Food and Cookout Safety

A great time in the July 4 sunshine also can be foiled by food, Wigginton said. Keep the temperature in mind when choosing what to bring and how to transport it.

“Mayonnaise, potato salad, coleslaw and deviled eggs spoil fast in the heat,” she said. “Keep them in a cooler with ice, not just in the shade. In general, with food: When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t taste-test questionable food.”

And while it might seem obvious that gasoline and charcoal grills don’t mix — never pour gas or lighter fluid on a fire that’s already lit. Another overlooked danger is the vapor from an open can of gas.

“I once cared for a burn patient at Parkland Memorial Hospital who did everything right — except for the container of gas near the fire,” she said. “A spark followed the vapor trail, ignited the container and caused horrific injury.”

Cookout chefs have plenty of safer options such as easy-light charcoal or chimney starters, she said.

–Stephen Fontenot

Note to journalists: Dr. Jane Wigginton is available for news media interviews. Contact Stephen Fontenot, 972-883-4405, stephen.fontenot@utdallas.edu.