With the 4th of July holiday coming up, health experts say they want the public to have fun, but want the public aware about potential dangers when celebrating.

Sparklers, which are one of the most common at-home fireworks, are also one of the most dangerous, as they burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Sparklers may seem safe, but they are the number one firework related injury to kids under five,” said Dr. Adam Balls, senior medical director of emergency medicine and trauma for Intermountain Health. “Don’t give sparklers to kids or let them light them, and when you’re done with sparklers, put them in a bucket of water.”

Balls said most firework-related injuries are preventable, but if an accident does occur, it’s important to get to a doctor or hospital immediately. In addition, don’t flush an injured eye with water or attempt to put ointment on it, as it can cause more damage.

If the injury is a burn, call your doctor immediately, remove clothing from the burned area and run cool water over it. If the burn feels deep, seek immediate medical attention.

“We also typically see injuries to the eyes and local burn injuries to the hand,” said Dr. Andre Crouch, emergency room physician with Intermountain Layton Hospital. “Fireworks are unpredictable and if you’re not experienced, they can quickly cause problems by shooting in unexpected directions and hurting other people in the crowd.”

Not only can fireworks be dangerous, doctors say other holiday-related activities warrant safety cautions as more people are biking, hiking, grilling, swimming and participating in off-roading in the mountains. Historically, the period in Utah between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day are referred to as the “100 deadliest days,” due to the number of fatal car crashes nearly doubling over the summer months.

The Utah Department of transportation has reported the most common contributing factor to these fatalities is the failure of wearing a seatbelt.

“Seatbelts are the single most effective traffic safety device for preventing death and injury,” Balls said. “Wearing a seatbelt will not only keep you from becoming a statistic, but keep every occupant and passenger that has their seatbelt securely fastened in your vehicle safe.”

Backcountry activities in Utah are popular, but before you head out, make sure you know the weather conditions and the right equipment to bring along.

“Hundred-degree temperatures are headed our way for the first time this year,” Balls said. “Know what the weather is going to be like, including the temperature so you can bring enough water to stay hydrated and the appropriate clothing. Also, make sure you know your itinerary and have given that information to family members.”

Roller blading, bicycles, scooters and skateboard accidents are another concern with more than 1,200 people losing their lives each year. The key is the right protective equipment and the right fitting helmets,” Ball said. That also includes wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle and ATV. Ball said those who don’t wear helmets could end up with longer recovery times or no recovery at all.

Right now, rivers in Utah are running high, cold and fast due to a record breaking snow year, and drowning is the second-leading cause of death for Utah children under the age of 14. Health officials at Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital are asking people to ensure children wear a life jacket whenever near the water. Also, for parents to empty out kiddie pools or buckets of water at home after use, teach children to swim and remember not to ever take your eyes off of them while in the water.

Those going in water, but staying on boats, are encouraged to know the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. Because carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless, a person can accumulate it very quickly.

Dr. Lindell Weaver, Intermountain Health’s medical director of the Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Intermountain Medical Center and Intermountain LDS Hospital, said carbon monoxide-related deaths occurred near the back of the boat, close to the exhaust.

Weaver recommends knowing how and where carbon monoxide may accumulate since it can accumulate in many places under differing conditions. Avoid closed off, poorly ventilated areas of the boat when the engine is running, watch children closely when they play on rear swim decks or water platforms — which should not be allowed if the engine is running — and educate all passengers about the dangers of carbon monoxide. Crouch added an additional piece of advice when it comes to boating.

“Wear sunscreen,” he said. “People don’t realize how dangerous the sun can be when they’re out on the boat with the breeze blowing, and then they end up with a very miserable burn, so wear the sunscreen and don’t forget to reapply it often.”

Dr. Tawnya Bowles, oncology surgeon at Intermountain Health, said skin cancer can almost always be cured when it’s found and treated early.

“The best way to prevent skin cancer is to protect your skin from sun damage. With summer here, it’s especially important to be vigilant about sun protection,” Bowles said.

The bottom line physicians want to stress is simple: Have fun, be careful and, if you run into trouble, call 911 and get to hospital as soon as possible.