UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: New Years Eve- Be Safe!

Category: International EM

Keywords: Injuries, alcohol, fireworks (PubMed Search)

Posted: 12/31/2014 by Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD (Updated: 1/7/2015)
Click here to contact Jon Mark Hirshon, PhD, MPH, MD

As you get ready to celebrate the coming of a new year, it is important to be safe while you are having a good time.

Injuries seen during holidays, such as new years, include:

  • Firework related injuries
    • particular hand and ocular
  • Celebratory gunfire related injuries
    • including occasional deaths
  • Motor vehicle crash related injuries
    • particularly due to increased drinking and driving

If you are working, be ready to see increased alcohol and injury related visits.

If you are off and plan to celebrate, be sure to identify a designated driver or an alternate means of getting home.

Have a Happy and Safe 2015!