As South Florida prepares to ring in the new year, first responders are urging residents to celebrate safely and avoid dangerous traditions like fireworks misuse and celebratory gunfire.
Large gatherings are expected at popular spots like Bayfront Park in Miami and downtown Fort Lauderdale, but emergency physicians say smaller, at-home celebrations often lead to injuries.
“At home, it’s legal to do fireworks, but you want to be sober. No alcohol and fireworks. That never mixes,” said Dr. Rob Chisholm, an emergency medicine physician at Broward Health. “And you want to be careful, especially around children.”…