The Fourth of July is just around the corner and that means that many families are thinking about the fun activities that they can do to celebrate the birth of the nation. Getting your elderly parent out to enjoy these traditional activities with you is a meaningful way to spend quality time with them, stimulate their minds, and make lasting memories. While you are planning your activities, however, it is essential that you keep your parent’s health and safety in mind.

One of the most popular activities for families on the Fourth of July is enjoying fireworks. These bright, exuberant displays are thrilling for people of all ages and an integral part of most Fourth of July celebrations. Unfortunately, they can also be quite dangerous.

• Just under 9000 people are treated in the emergency room each year for injuries related to fireworks
• Approximately 55 percent of those injuries occur to the extremities
• Approximately 31 percent of those injuries occur to the head
• 57 percent of injuries are burns
• 18 percent of injuries are contusions or lacerations
• 5 percent of injuries are fractures or sprains
• 40 percent of fires reported on the Fourth of July are caused by fireworks, which is more than any other cause

This does not mean, of course, that you and your family cannot still enjoy your holiday celebrations with the beauty and excitement of fireworks. Use these tip to help you still wish the nation a happy birthday with a bang, but keep your parent safe while doing it:

• Leave it to the pros. Resist the temptation to set off your own fireworks display. While some areas do offer fireworks for sale and have regulations that permit people to set off these fireworks on their own, this increases the chances of serious injury and other problems dramatically. Instead, find professional displays in your area and enjoy them.
• Leave them alone. After the fireworks display is over, do not allow your parent or your children to pick up any fireworks that they find on the ground. Often fireworks are lit and go into the sky but do not actually detonate. They then fall to the ground still active. These are unpredictable and can explode at any time, causing severe injury.
• Do not touch sparklers. Sparklers are beautiful and many people of all ages love to hold them and wave them in the dark sky. These little novelties, however, can burn at an incredible 1200 degrees. Do not allow a young child or a parent with cognitive limitations use sparklers as they may touch the attractive flame and experience severe injury.

When it comes to keeping your aging parent safe and secure while still keeping them engaged with the world around them, an elder care provider can be invaluable. The summer is filled with potential hazards for your aging parent, but with the personalized assistance and care of an elderly home care services provider, your loved one can get out and enjoy their favorite activities far more often. This keeps them healthier and happier, and gives you peace of mind that they are enjoying a high quality of life safely and healthily.

Sources:

http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/outdoors-and-seasonal/fireworks/reports-and-statistics-about-fireworks

http://www.fireworkssafety.org/