Novant Health urges caution as ER visits rise during NYE

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY-TV) – If you plan to go out celebrating Wednesday night — be careful. Emergency departments often see a surge in preventable injury visits as a result of New Year’s Eve Celebrations.

According to Novant Health, celebrations involving fireworks, alcohol use, travel and holiday meals play a part in these injuries.

Novant healthcare experts said there’s also an uptick in burn injuries related to firework use, falls during celebrations, and sicknesses spread through food consumption.

Terri Dewees, director for trauma services at Novant Health. She said it’s important to limit the spread of germs during gatherings with lots of people.

“Along with influenza that’s going around this time of year, Norovirus is also going around which is highly contagious,” Dewees said. “The only way to decrease the risk of Norovirus is to wash your hands with soap and water.”

Dewees also emphasized that fireworks such as sparklers can get up to 2,000 degrees and should not be touched.

Anyone planning to use fireworks should use them outdoors, away from people and pets and soak fireworks before discarding them to prevent burns.