“Don’t Do It”: Burn Victims and Nurses Warn Ahead of July 4 Firework Injuries

As firework stands open across Wichita and the Fourth of July approaches, Via Christi’s burn unit is bracing for a spike in injuries. The hospital, home to the region’s only burn unit for hundreds of miles, is urging Kansans to take firework safety seriously. Staff see everything from minor burns to devastating, life-altering injuries this time of year.

Nurse Sarah Fischer, a 17-year veteran of the burn unit, warns against careless decisions, while survivor Alonso Loera de Luna—who lost his thumb and index finger after trying to relight a dud—puts it bluntly: “If somebody says it’s a good idea, don’t do it.”

Their message is simple but critical: don’t hold fireworks in your hands, wear shoes, keep water nearby—and always think twice. A single spark can change everything.