By the time you read this, I’ll be at work. To be honest, no peds nurse really cares much for the 4th. Oh, we’re as patriotic as the next guy. Every year at dusk, we collect what ambulatory children are in the unit and take them to the best spot possible so they can watch the fireworks. Since we opened our Children’s Hospital, the site in our solarium which has three walls of all glass. You can see fireworks all over the city from there.
No, the main reason we don’t like the 4th of July is it’s a bad day for kiddos. Too many adults, out BBQing and drinking beer, means lots of fireworks accidents to kids and near drownings. So my wish to all of you…
While you’re having family fun, watch the kids. No fireworks without adult supervision and make sure that whatever the kids light, etc. is age appropriate. No sparklers and toddlers, if you please; too often these guys don’t realize that that pretty “flower” is hot! And a bucket of water to dump used sparklers in will prevent a lot of burns.
If you have the kids in a boat, make sure they are wearing size appropriate life vests, even if they’re the best swimmers in the world. And nobody, NOBODY ever swims alone. Remember, people have drowned in less than five inches of water.
And last, but not least, watch that food. In this heat, almost everything fresh, raw, or cooked with chicken, mayo, or eggs is dangerous if left out in this heat longer than it takes to have a meal. When everyone is finished eating, put the leftovers away.
This has been a safety commercial from your neighborhood pediatric nurse who really doesn’t want ANY admits today.
And I hope you all have a great time today. Go, America!!
