Lincoln hospitals release firework injury statistics for Fourth of July weekend

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Bryan Medical Center and CHI Health St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln have released statistics on fireworks-related injuries over Fourth of July weekend.

In a press release on Monday, Bryan Health said it treated a total of 15 patients with fireworks injuries on July 3 and 4 in its emergency departments at Bryan East and West.

“That number lines up with what we typically see each year,” spokesman Brad Colee said in an email. “Over the last five years, we’ve averaged about 16 patients on July 3/4 with fireworks-related injuries.”

Most of the injuries seen at Bryan Health were burns or abrasions.

CHI Health St. Elizabeth is home to Nebraska’s only dedicated burn unit.

As of Monday, the hospital said it had 35 new scheduled outpatient burn unit visits and one inpatient admission to the burn unit.

Eric Jensen, registered nurse and burn community educator, said this year may be the worst St. Elizabeth has seen in a while because the holiday fell on a Friday this year.

St. Elizabeth’s emergency room also saw six fireworks-related injuries over the holiday.