New Year’s Eve is mere days away, and no doubt closing the door on another pandemic year will have revelers drinking, dancing and partying like there’s no tomorrow. But whether you’ll be celebrating at a house party or a city-sponsored event, staff at Parkland Health say that taking a few precautions will ensure you remain safe as you ring in 2023.
One longstanding tradition is starting the new year with a bang – literally. But, without proper precautions, you could end up with life-threatening injuries or worse.
In 2021, an estimated 8,500 fireworks-related injuries occurred in the U.S. during a one-month special study period between June 18 and July 18, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). For New Year’s that number historically spikes again. In 2020, an estimated 15,600 people were hospitalized with injuries related to fireworks – the highest number in the last 15 years, the CPSC reported. While fireworks are fun to enjoy, they also pose hazards to those using them or near them.
“Burns from fireworks usually involve the hands, face, arms and chest areas,” said Sarah Scoins, MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN, ACCNS-AG, Burn Outreach and Injury Prevention Educator in Parkland’s Regional Burn Center. “Fireworks can be dangerous and it’s important everyone remembers that they can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries.”
In the past five years, 76 patients received fireworks-related injuries serious enough to require hospitalization in Parkland’s Burn Center. Those patients with minor burns are treated in Parkland’s outpatient burn center. Even though celebrating with fireworks may seem harmless, Scoins said the best guideline is to leave all fireworks activity to the professionals.
And, if you’re planning to drive on New Year’s Eve, don’t drink and drive, emphasized Courtney Edwards, DNP, MPH, RN, CCRN, CEN, TCRN, NEA-BC, Director of Trauma Community Outreach for the Rees-Jones Trauma Center at Parkland. “If you have a friend who does not drink, ask them to be the designated driver or take advantage of one of the ride services.”
People who sustained injuries from a motor vehicle crash and were admitted to Parkland accounted for 20% (or 483) of the total admissions (2,427) to the trauma center last year, Edwards said. “Of the patients admitted in the Rees-Jones Trauma Center following a traumatic injury in 2021, 19% tested positive or self-reported using alcohol at the time of the injury,” she noted. “In addition, 31% of people who tested positive for alcohol were admitted to the intensive care unit because of the severity of their injuries.”
In Texas, 4,489 people were killed in automobile crashes in 2021, up from 3,893 deaths in 2020. According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), that increase occurred even though traffic volumes were about 50% below normal for several months of the year. TxDOT also notes that the last deathless day on Texas roads was Nov. 7, 2000 – more than 22 years ago.
“Tragically, there are many families who go through the holidays without a loved one because of a drunk driver,” Edwards said. “Don’t make a bad decision that will affect your family and friends for years to come. Plan to get home safely. It could save lives, including yours.”
On New Year’s Eve, everyone wants to have an unforgettable night — in a good way. By taking these safety tips to heart, you can enjoy a happy, healthy, and safe celebration.
Parkland offers a variety of health and education screenings and community resources in several neighborhoods across Dallas County through the Access to Care & Coverage Program. All services at the community pop-ups are at no cost to the individual.
Hours and days of operation at each pop-up vary:
- Bonton Farms (inside the green mobile unit), 2612 Valentine St., Dallas, 75212, Every Friday *Closed Dec. 30
- Janie C. Turner Recreation Center, 6424 Elam Rd., Dallas, 75217, Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
- John C. Phelps Recreation Center, 3030 Tips Blvd., Dallas, 75216, Every Thursday, 3:30-6 p.m.
- DHA Buckeye Commons, 6676 Buckeye Commons Way, Dallas, 75215, Every Thursday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Inspired Vision Compassion Center, 2019 N. Masters Dr., Dallas, 75217, Every Tuesday *Closed Jan. 3
- CitySquare, 1610 S. Malcolm X Blvd., Dallas, 75226, Every Wednesday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- DHA Park Manor, 3333 Edgewood St., Dallas, 75215, Every Thursday, 1-4 p.m.
- Catholic Charities Marillac Community Center, 2483 Lapsley St., Dallas, 75212, Every Friday *Closed Dec. 30