Barbara Ellzey, MD: Safe Fourth of July Celebrations (KTRS-AM)

Did you know most injuries caused by fireworks are from the types parents buy for their kids -- sparklers, firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles? Barbara Ellzey, MD, a physician with St. Luke's Urgent Care -- Ladue, shared tips on how to not let the sights and sounds of your Fourth of July celebrations turn into a trip to urgent care or the emergency room.

"I see a lot of thermal burns," Dr. Ellzey shared on The Jennifer and Wendy Show. "These can be from a number of things, most commonly, from firecrackers going off prematurely, or people think they are not lit and pick them up to re-light them and they explode." 

If you or someone you are with gets a burn, the best thing to do until you get to an urgent care is to put cool, clean material, such as a clean bedsheet or gauze, on the burn. Do not put ice directly on the burn. 

Her advice for a safe celebration? Leave fireworks to the professionals. 

St. Luke’s eight urgent care centers are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, and are located throughout Jefferson, St. Charles and St. Louis counties in Arnold, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Des Peres, Ellisville, Fenton, Ladue and O’Fallon. Find the St. Luke's urgent care location nearest you.  

Listen to the full radio interview with KTRS-AM: St. Luke's Hospital - Safety for Fireworks