On the 4th of July, almost everyone is outside enjoying grilling, swimming, fireworks, and other fun activities. Unfortunately, July 4th and 5th see more ER visits than any other days of the year on average, with nearly 91,000 across both days combined. 

While getting injured isn’t inevitable, no one wants to go to the emergency room when it’s in holiday overdrive. With unlimited 24/7 immediate care, Sollis Health keeps our members out of the ER 99% of the time—even during holiday weekends or after hours.

Here’s how we support our members through Independence Day’s four most common injuries. 

1. Heat-Related Illness 

A long day outdoors in July—especially with some sun and a few drinks—can take more out of you than you realize. Heat-related illnesses can be as mild as heat cramps to the far more severe heat stroke, which occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. 

The good news is that most heat-related illness is manageable when caught early and treated promptly. If you experience any of the following while spending time in the sun, stop all activity, move to a cooler place, rehydrate, and seek immediate medical attention.

• Heavy sweating

• Muscle cramps

• Rapid pulse

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

How Sollis helps with heat-related illness: When our members have symptoms, Sollis provides them with immediate evaluation instead of sticking them in a waiting room with other hot, frustrated people. If they have a heat-related condition, Sollis offers cooling support and clinically indicated IV fluids in a comfortable, private room while their core temperature returns to normal. 

2. Burns from Fireworks

Fireworks burns are the most common 4th of July injury, making up 37% of all emergency room visits, with hands and fingers (36%) and the head, face, and ears (22%) the most frequently affected body parts. Even sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals. 

Not all burns are the same, and knowing the difference helps you respond appropriately. Burns are categorized by degree based on the severity of damage to the skin. 

• First-degree burns affect only the outermost layer of skin and are the most minor.

• Second-degree burns extend beyond the top layer and are more serious, often causing blistering.

• Third-degree burns reach the deeper layers beneath the skin and require immediate medical attention.

Burns on the face, hands, feet, or major joints warrant prompt medical evaluation even when they appear minor. Any burn that goes through all layers of skin, appears charred or leathery, or is larger than 3 inches across should be treated as a medical emergency. 

How Sollis helps with fireworks burns: When it comes to this kind of injury, faster diagnosis and treatment makes a real difference in how quickly you heal and whether any complications arise. After thoroughly assessing the severity of the burn, Sollis clinicians can clean and debride the wound, prescribe antibiotics, provide pain management, and arrange for an expedited specialist referral with a top doctor if needed.

3. Cuts and Lacerations

Grilling, fireworks, and games can easily set the scene for a cut or laceration. Getting one of these injuries properly assessed, cleaned, and closed prevents infection and reduces scarring.

A laceration is a deep cut or tearing of the skin, with accidents involving knives, tools, and sharp objects among the most frequent causes. In the case of deep lacerations, bleeding can be rapid and extensive, putting you at immediate risk. The main complication of any open wound is the risk of infection.

For minor cuts, the first priorities are stopping the bleeding with gentle pressure, then rinsing the wound thoroughly under running water to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid hydrogen peroxide or iodine, as both can irritate the wound. Once clean, applying a thin layer of antibiotic ointment or petroleum jelly keeps the surface moist and helps prevent scarring.

When it comes to cuts, it pays to be careful. Any wound involving the hands or feet should be evaluated by a medical professional since the large number of nerves, tendons, and blood vessels packed into those small spaces means even a modest wound can cause significant damage. Wounds near a joint, wounds to the face, and any cut where the skin is pulled apart may also require stitches. 

How Sollis helps with cuts and lacerations: Sollis clinicians move fast to assess your injuries and provide stitches and pain management. If specialist care is needed, Sollis can give our members expedited referrals to top doctors in their area. Instead of navigating your care between providers alone, Sollis handles the logistics so you can focus on recovery. 

4. Water Inhalation

Pools, lakes, and beaches are a 4th of July staple. But if you’re going to spend any time in or around water—especially with children—it’s important to educate yourself about post-immersion syndrome. 

Formerly known as “dry drowning,” post-immersion syndrome refers to delayed respiratory distress that can develop in the hours after someone accidentally inhales even a little bit of water. When water enters the lungs, it can irritate the lining and trigger inflammation or fluid buildup (pulmonary edema), which impairs the lungs' ability to oxygenate the blood. 

The tricky part about post-immersion syndrome is that the person often seems completely fine right after the incident, with symptoms not appearing for several hours. Symptoms to watch for include:

• Persistent or worsening cough

• Labored or faster-than-normal breathing

• Unusual fatigue or changes in behavior

• Fever

Post-immersion syndrome is relatively rare, and most people who have a water scare are completely fine. But if anything feels off in the hours after, it's always worth getting checked.

How Sollis helps with post-immersion syndrome: When it comes to water scares, it's better to be safe than sorry. Sollis members can come in anytime for an immediate assessment, or call our 24/7 medical hotline to talk through their symptoms with an ER-trained clinician. 

Get 24/7 Coverage This Holiday Weekend

Having Sollis on call means you can enjoy the 4th of July knowing that if anything comes up, your emergency-trained team is at the ready. Our members unlock unlimited access to immediate on-site diagnostics and world-class care so they can avoid the ER while getting better, faster care. 

Sources: Sollis Health | Pew Research Center | U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission | CDC | Healthline