Fireworks: It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Gets Hurt

Independence Day is quickly approaching! Warm weather, parades, and cookouts are all ways to celebrate the 4th of July. But, what truly stamps a trademark on this tradition are the fireworks. While mesmerizing and exciting, fireworks can be very dangerous. Knowing about firework safety is extremely important to your health during this season of celebration.


According to data on US Hospital Emergency Departments, about 9,600 injuries were from fireworks in 2011, and one fourth of those injuries involved children under the age of fifteen! Eye injuries and severe burns are most common when it comes to injuries from fireworks, but other repercussions can be much worse if you are not cautious.

When it comes to fireworks, your best protection is not using them at all. Professional fireworks displays are the safest way to enjoy fireworks on the 4th of July and the people who provide them are professionals who are aware of the dangers and safety precautions. However, if you still find the urge to set off fireworks on your own, here are six saftey tips to keep in mind.

1. The first rule of safety is to never make your own fireworks. Leave it to the professionals!
2. When purchasing fireworks, make sure there is a printed label and instructions on them. This shows that they are legal. If they do not have a label or instructions, they may be illegal and highly dangerous.
3. Keep children away from the vicinity of fireworks at all times. They are explosives and should not be taken lightly. Even fireworks directed toward small children are dangerous. Did you know a sparkler can reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit?
4. Not only can fireworks directly harm you, they can cause danger those around you. According to Fire Marshall Jim Greeson of Indiana, “More than 32,000 fires result annually from the mishandling of fireworks, and cause more than $30 million in property damage." When lighting off the fireworks, make sure you are in a large, open space with nothing in the surrounding area like homes, buildings or cars. Fires are a popular result from careless use of fireworks.
5. Fireworks can also often shoot in the wrong direction, so NEVER hold them in your hands.
6. Keep a fire extinguisher or hose nearby in case of an emergency.

It is important to enjoy your holiday this July, but your health and safety are just as important. Make wise decisions this 4th of July. Enjoy the fireworks, but be cautious if handling them yourself.

If in case of emergency, Franciscan Hammond Clinic’s Urgent Care is open 365 days a year at the specialty center, 7905 Calumet Ave. For more information call: (219) 836-5800.

10 Tips to Help Prevent Holiday Weight Gain

By Jamie Monday, MA - Clinical Psychology, LPC, an Employee Assistance Program Therapist for the Franciscan Alliance - Northern Indiana Region

Research studies show that most adults gain about one pound during the holiday season. Unfortunately, for people who are already overweight, the holiday weight news is worse. People who are already overweight tend to gain a lot more, up to five pounds! Research also supports the idea that weight gain is, in fact, concentrated during the winter holiday season. Although the weight gain may only be one pound, it accumulates through the years and is often times not lost during the summer.

But don’t despair because this year can be different …

You might be asking yourself, “How can I possibly enjoy the holidays and all the yummy food without gaining weight?” There are practical and realistic ways that you can have your cake and eat it, too! 

10 Tips to Help Prevent Holiday Weight Gain

1. Control Portions – Studies have shown that the more food we’re served, the more we will eat – even if we don’t like what we are eating! Keep your portions small, especially with calorie-heavy foods like gravy, eggnog, and desserts.
2. Keep Moving – Exercise is even more important for maintaining weight loss than for taking off the pounds. In addition, exercise is essential in helping us cope with stress, which tends to increase during the holidays. Regular exercise can actually give you more energy to tackle that long holiday “to-do” list. Keep in mind something is better than nothing! Try to make it a priority by scheduling daily activity into your routine. Read more about how you can better manage your stress during the holidays. >>
3. Weigh in Regularly – Checking in with the scale at least once a week is the true test for maintenance. Remember to do it first thing in the morning. When the scale notches upward, that’s your signal to cut back on portions or rev up your physical activity.
4. Eat Plenty of Lean Protein – Boosting your protein intake with lean meats; skinless poultry, low-fat dairy, seafood, and beans will keep you satisfied longer. When you visit the buffet table, opt for these lean protein choices and complement them with high-fiber grains, fruits, and vegetables, which also help fill you up for relatively few calories.
5. Have a Healthy Breakfast – People who eat breakfast end up eating fewer calories throughout the day. Never skip breakfast because it powers up the brain, gets the metabolism perking, and helps you perform any task better.
6. Put it on a Plate – It’s hard to keep track of how much food you’re eating when you nibble without using a plate. Serving meals and snacks on a plate will help you avoid the mindless hand-to-mouth munching that can add lots of extra calories.
7. If You Don’t Love It, Don’t Eat It! – Why waste calories on foods that don’t knock your socks off? One bite is usually enough to tell whether you love it. If not, don’t worry about waste – just leave it on your plate. Use those extra calories for something you love.
8. Enjoy Soup or Salad Before Going to a Party – Studies have shown that a first course consisting of a large green salad with a light dressing or a bowl of broth-based vegetable soup can reduce the total calories you eat during a meal. These super-nutritious foods take the edge off your appetite so you don’t arrive starving and dive into the candy dish. 
9. Satisfy a Craving with a Few Bites – A piece of pecan pie or glass of eggnog can set you back by more than 400 calories. To stay in maintenance mode, enjoy just a few bites of such rich foods, or choose lower-calories alternatives (like pumpkin pie or low-fat eggnog) so your 200 extra calories will give you more to enjoy.
10. Savor Every Bite – Sit down, relax, and enjoy every bite of your meal. Take your time and savor the flavors, textures, and aromas of each food. Eating slowly will help you enjoy the meal and will give your brain time to receive the signal that your stomach is happily full.

This season make maintaining your weight a priority, instead of worrying about gaining or losing weight. By keeping in mind these helpful tips, you can enjoy the season’s wonderful foods without feeling guilty.

Tips on How to Prepare a Safe, Enjoyable Thanksgiving Meal

As we prepare to celebrate and give thanks with friends and family this Thanksgiving, remember a few simple steps when preparing your meal to prevent food poisoning and enjoy a safe and happy feast:

• Carefully wash your hands often, and always before cooking or cleaning. Always wash them again after touching raw meat.
• Clean dishes and utensils that have had any contact with raw meat, poultry, fish, or eggs.
• Use a thermometer when cooking. Cook beef to at least 160°F, poultry to at least 180°F, and fish to at least 140°F.
• DO NOT place cooked meat or fish back onto the same plate or container that held the raw meat, unless the container has been completely washed.
• Promptly refrigerate any food you will not be eating. Keep the refrigerator set to around 40°F and your freezer at or below 0°F. DO NOT eat meat, poultry, or fish that has been refrigerated uncooked for longer than 1 to 2 days.
• Cook frozen foods for the full time recommended on the package.
• DO NOT use outdated foods, packaged food with a broken seal, or cans that are bulging or have a dent.
• DO NOT use foods that have an unusual odor or a spoiled taste.

If other people may have eaten the food that made you sick, let them know. If you think the food was contaminated when you bought it from a store or restaurant, tell the store and your local health department.

Read more about food poisoning and prevention on our online Health Library.

Beat Your Holiday Stress This Year!!

Cars honking, traffic jams, spending money, family running around in the same house. Sound familiar? With another year almost gone we face the holiday stress that comes with every Christmas season.

To help you cope with this month's often overbearing events, take this information and advice from our Hospitalist, Dr. John Szymczak.

What are the health implications of holiday stress?
"Holiday stress generally warrants lots of symptoms including anxiety, depression, overeating, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, high blood pressure and high cortisol levels. Extensive high cortisol levels, which are a steroid hormone released from the adrenal gland, can lead to impaired cognitive performance, blood sugar imbalances, higher blood pressure and many other symptoms."

What are some symptoms of overeating due to stress?
"When you overeat, blood goes to your intestines and your stomache. Because of this, individuals with PVD (peripheral vascular disease) and heart conditions put added stress on their heart. This increases their risk for heart attack, stroke and angina (chest pain)."

What are the best ways to cope?
"Go out of your way to prevent stressful situations, spend time with people you really enjoy and can relax around, eat and drink in moderation and try to save money for things you know you'll need later." Dr. Szymczak also says that volunteering somewhere helps miminize stress. He suggests adopting a pet, noting that people with dogs are three to four times less likely to die of a heart attack, if one were to occur.

For more information about holiday stress, click this link: http://franciscanphysicians.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=117&pid=1&gid=003211

Holiday Food and Clothing Drive

Please join us in helping those in need this holiday season.

We will be collecting non-perishable food items and gently used clothing from November 22, 2010 through December 20, 2010.

Collection bins are located in the hospital lobby, 701 Superior Avenue, Munster. Your generosity is very much appreciated.

Tips on How to Prepare a Safe, Enjoyable Holiday Meal

As we prepare our holiday dinners and get togethers this festive season, remember a few simple steps when prepping your meal to prevent food poisoning and enjoy a safe and happy feast:

• Carefully wash your hands often, and always before cooking or cleaning. Always wash them again after touching raw meat.


• Clean dishes and utensils that have had any contact with raw meat, poultry, fish, or eggs.


• Use a thermometer when cooking. Cook beef to at least 160°F, poultry to at least 180°F, and fish to at least 140°F.


• DO NOT place cooked meat or fish back onto the same plate or container that held the raw meat, unless the container has been completely washed.


• Promptly refrigerate any food you will not be eating. Keep the refrigerator set to around 40°F and your freezer at or below 0°F. DO NOT eat meat, poultry, or fish that has been refrigerated uncooked for longer than 1 to 2 days.


• Cook frozen foods for the full time recommended on the package.


• DO NOT use outdated foods, packaged food with a broken seal, or cans that are bulging or have a dent.


• DO NOT use foods that have an unusual odor or a spoiled taste.

If other people may have eaten the food that made you sick, let them know. If you think the food was contaminated when you bought it from a store or restaurant, tell the store and your local health department.

Read more about food poisoning and prevention on our online Health Library.