Dozens Of Tulsans Injured By Fireworks Over Holiday Weekend

Many people were injured over the weekend from fireworks, and some are serious. A nurse at the Hillcrest Burn Center said people of all ages were hurt from fireworks, and some of these injuries will last a lifetime. 

As fireworks lit up skies all over Oklahoma for a busy Fourth of July weekend, it was also a busy at the Hillcrest Medical Center Burn Center. They expect an even busier week ahead.  

"With this past weekend being a holiday, we saw about 36 new burns," said burn nurse Apryl McGill. 

McGill said an average summer weekend brings 10 or 15 burn patients. She said most injuries over the holiday weekend were from fireworks but there were also plenty of sunburns, grill burns, flame and chemical burns.

"This year the majority was mortar or sparkler injuries," McGill said. "They can get up to 2,000 degrees and it burns them."

McGill said many kids holding sparklers got hurt, and she said some injuries were life-altering.

"Saw people who blew off appendages and hands," she said.

Andy Little with the Tulsa Fire Department said even though fireworks are illegal to shoot off in the city, there were still many dumpster fires, grass fires and even buildings that caught on fire from fireworks.

"Last night we had two residential fires from fireworks, one of which someone broke the window and fired from inside," Little said. "It's arson."

Little and McGill said the fireworks won't be slowing down just because the holiday is over.

"We anticipate this could continue happening for a while as people still have these fireworks," said Little.

McGill said it's best to leave fireworks to the pros.

"It can be pretty dangerous," McGill said. 

McGill said to never let kids hold fireworks and be sure to not drink alcohol before setting off fireworks. She also wants to remind people to use lots of sunscreen because sunburns can get so bad, they blister.