{"id":39350,"date":"2026-05-15T07:00:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T07:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=39350"},"modified":"2026-05-12T19:45:58","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T19:45:58","slug":"summer-injury-prevention-from-emergency-doctor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/summer-injury-prevention-from-emergency-doctor\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer injury prevention tips from an emergency medicine doctor","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

From mountain hikes to home improvement projects, summer is peak season for outdoor activity in the Pacific Northwest.<\/p>\n

Summer also has a reputation for something else \u2014 a surge in injury-related visits to the emergency department (ED).<\/p>\n

\u201cSummer brings a noticeable rise in injuries like burns, fractures, head trauma and eye trauma,\u201d says Heather Justice, MD, an emergency medicine doctor and medical director of MultiCare Emergency – Bremerton<\/a>. \u201cToo often we think, \u2018It won\u2019t happen to me.\u2019 But slowing down and taking basic precautions can help prevent many injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are Dr. Justice\u2019s top tips for embracing summer adventure without landing yourself or a loved one in the ED.<\/p>\n

Tip 1: Wear a helmet when riding e-bikes or scooters<\/h2>\n

Electric bikes and scooters can be a fast, convenient way to get around, but they can also cause serious injury \u2014 especially when riders skip the helmet.<\/p>\n

\u201cRiding e-bikes or scooters without a helmet is extremely dangerous,\u201d Dr. Justice says. \u201cThey can easily reach high speeds \u2014 25 miles per hour or more \u2014 and people often ride them on roadways, increasing the risk of collisions with vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association<\/a> found a 49-fold increase in e-bike riders with head trauma over a five-year period. Head trauma can be fatal or have lasting consequences that affect your ability to think and function.<\/p>\n

Even though most states* don\u2019t require helmets for e-bikes or scooters, wearing one can help prevent or reduce the severity of head injuries. Visit the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute<\/a> for advice on choosing a helmet.<\/p>\n

Parents should be especially cautious, as kids and teens are particularly vulnerable to severe injuries from e-bikes and scooters. The American Academy of Pediatrics<\/a> recommends children under the age of 16 not operate or ride motorized scooters or bikes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Tip 2: Never hold fireworks in your hand<\/h2>\n

Many families look forward to fireworks on Independence Day, but for those who work in emergency departments, it\u2019s one of the most injury-filled holidays of the year.
\nNearly 91,000 people<\/a> visit EDs on July 4 and 5 every year in the U.S., according to the Pew Research Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cFireworks-related injuries can be devasting,\u201d Dr. Justice says. \u201cWe see severe burns, permanent vision loss and sometimes the loss of fingers or limbs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fireworks are safest when left to trained professionals, but if you choose to light them at home, keep these tips in mind:<\/p>\n