Celebrate Safely this Independence Day

Leave the fireworks to the professionals and enjoy the show!

Attend a public display of fireworks in your community to reduce the risk of injury. If you decide to use consumer fireworks, follow local regulations. Thousands of individuals are injured by fireworks each year on the Fourth of July – and children and teens are more likely to be among this group. Educate young ones on fireworks safety ahead of the holiday and ensure there is always adequate adult supervision during festivities.

Location, location, location

Prioritizing safety as you plan your outdoor adventures. Build campfires at least 25 feet away from tents, shrubs, or anything that can burn. Place your barbecue grill away from any overhanging branches, eaves, siding, or deck railings. Follow grilling fire safety guidelines and maintain a 3 feet safety zone around the grill to keep children and pets safe.

Know the signs of heat-related illnesses

Monitor the weather and take extra precautions during extreme heat-related events. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Become familiar with the signs of heat-related illnesses and practice caution when temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Stay hydrated and seek shade

Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Seek shade to take breaks and cool down while having fun in the sun. 

Learn more from FEMA

What to do if you have to speak to a provider after hours

If patients ever have an urgent need to speak to a provider anytime our office is closed, like on on Friday, July 4th, they can call our office to leave a message with our 24/7 answering service. Our on-call provider will call back and speak with you about your concerns.

If you feel you need immediate or urgent medical care, please consider a visit to any Western New York Immediate Care location, or another urgent care facility while our office is closed. For life-threatening emergencies, please go to your nearest hospital or call 911.

Where to seek care:

In the unfortunate circumstance that you or a loved one needs to seek care over the July 4th holiday, it is important to know where to go.  Contacting IHG anytime you have uncertainty about the care you need is valid. However, if you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911 or seek immediate care at the closest hospital or emergency room.

If you have a choice of where you seek urgent care or emergency room care, you may consider seeking care from Western New York Immediate Care or Mercy Ambulatory Care Center due to our collaborative relationship with these organizations. However, if you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or seek immediate care from the nearest hospital emergency room.

When should I go to an emergency room or dial 911?

Health symptoms and conditions that may warrant an ER visit or dialing 911 include:

• Chest pain
• Seizure
• Severe burns
• Vomiting blood
• Deep open wounds
• Severe & sudden pain
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Weakness/numbness on one side
• Slurred speech
• Fainting/change in mental state
• Head or eye injury
• Vaginal bleeding with pregnancy

This list is not exclusive, but rather a general list of common symptoms that warrant an emergency room visit.

When should I go to urgent care?

Urgent Care Centers can be a good option when there is not access to your primary care office. Urgent care is not emergency care. Urgent care centers are same-day clinics that can handle a variety of medical problems that need to be treated right away, but are not considered true emergencies. Clinic hours may be impacted by the holiday. Call ahead to ensure they are open.

Examples of conditions that may warrant urgent care treatment:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Possible broken bones
• Dehydration
• Fever not affected by antipyretics i.e., Tylenol, Advil, Acetaminophen
• Resistant migraine headaches

This list is not exclusive, but rather a general list of common symptoms that warrant an urgent care visit.

When should I contact IHG?

Examples of conditions that may warrant contacting Inspired Health Group include:

• General medical office visits
• Medication refill
• Preventative care visits
• Immunizations and vaccines
• Follow-up visits for chronic care conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, lung problems, bowel or bladder Issues,
• Acute care visits for new short-term health issues

This list is not exclusive, but rather a general list of common symptoms that warrant contacting or visiting our office.

Learn more about care options and what to do when you are sick.