PITTSBURGH– More than twenty people were treated for serious injuries related to fireworks over the fourth of July weekend, including several children. The 2020 total is the highest Independence Day weekend injury count on record at the UPMC Mercy Burn Center, surpassing 2019's weekend totals of six.
"Some of the injuries are very serious. Several patients were admitted and will need ongoing care and therapy. We urge people to not engage in personal fireworks use to avoid any of these devastating traumas," said Jenny Ziembicki, M.D., medical director, UPMC Mercy Burn Center. "It is important to understand that even legal fireworks should only be handled by those properly trained in their use."
The UPMC Mercy emergency department also treated multiple outpatient injuries of varying degrees to the hands, most commonly associated with reloadable mortars and fire pits.
