ER Doctors Prepare for Busy Holiday
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Bottle rockets and beer: some say they are never a good mix, but local emergency room doctors say it is one that is especially common for underage teens during Independence Day celebrations. “We generally see more injuries especially related to fireworks and perhaps some substance abuse of alcohol related cases,” said Dr. Donald Correll, the medical director of the emergency department at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. ER visits nearly double for underage males. “We do see a male prevalence over females at that age,” said Dr. Correll. “Sometimes they’ll have blast injuries to their hands or burns on their skin, and sometimes they’ll have some fractures.” While most holidays see a spike in teen drinking, Dr. Correll says because the 4th falls during the summer it is even more dangerous. “We would see more of it during the holidays than we do during the year, especially the school year,” said Dr. Correll. “Holidays like the 4th of July would be probably a little higher than other holidays.” ABC 7 Eyewitness News spoke with local teens who say they have seen their fair share of underage drinking at 4th of July parties, but say they are steering clear of the trouble that follows. “I’d rather just go shoot fireworks or something better than that,” said Jackson resident Chris Cutts. Dr. Correll also emphasized that alcohol and firework-related injuries are not limited to underage teens, but says adults also need to take the same precautions.
