There are no safe fireworks, say experts
UCI Health burn specialist says they pose high risk for devastating injuries
July 01, 2024
IN THE NEWS: Orange County leaders tasked with keeping people safe gathered ahead of the Fourth of July holiday to ask residents to find ways to celebrate that don’t involve fireworks. They urge those who plan to use them to be cautious.
UCI Health Regional Burn Center Director Dr. Victor Joe spoke to The Orange County Register about what the team at Orange County’s only level 1 trauma center sees at this time each year.
“It is truly disheartening for our team to see some of these devastating injuries, and not only the patients but [also] the families dealing with the aftermath of loss of limb. While fireworks can bring joy and celebration, they pose a significant risk.”
Joe is a professor in the UC Irvine School of Medicine Department of Surgery and a board-certified UCI Health surgeon who specializes in trauma, burn and critical care surgery. His clinical interests include the treatment of burns.
Among his research interests are burn resuscitation and outcomes, trauma management and outcomes, and critical care outcomes. His work has been published in many peer-reviewed journals and he has been an invited speaker at regional, national and international meetings and symposia.
Joe is certified as a provider and instructor in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) by the American College of Surgeons and Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) by the American Burn Association. He has taught both courses throughout the United States.
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