Hmmm....a little worried about this weekend

So, Independence Day is this weekend. I can't seem to sing The Star Spangled Banner without getting a lump in my throat, and tears in my eyes (it must be from allergies, right?!)

The one thing that really worries me about celebrating the 4th of July is fireworks. Once again, it seems like asthma has to get in the way of having fun. Grrrr. Our city celebration was last month, but we were gone that night and missed watching those fireworks. 

So, Hubby will want to light off fireworks in the street in front of our house. The only problem is that all the other families on our street will also be lighting fireworks - and the street gets REALLY smokey!

In fact, a long time ago when Son #2 was young, he ended up in the hospital (in ICU) thanks to smoke from a forest fire and from fireworks. The one thing you never want to see is one of your kids in the hospital for asthma - especially when they put the heart monitor on them, then we know we are in BIG trouble!!  They are watching for respiratory arrest     He survived, but some people do not. National Jewish Health explains it this way:

"Respiratory arrest is when the breathing stops.  This is not a common problem, but obviously can occur with both asthma and with pneumonia.  All asthmatics are vulnerable to having a severe attack and suffering a fatal outcome.  Unfortunately, this is not well known by the public."

 This is an article from Spain about the health effects of fireworks

So, ever since that day my son ended up in the hospital, I have been a little worried about being around fireworks. Not only for my kids (all three have asthma) but I also for myself. More than once, I have had to use my inhaler while the family was outside lighting off fireworks. 

So, what to do? We are prepared for everything. Not only do we have a five gallon bucket of water nearby to dump the fireworks in (we are trying to prevent a house fire). But I also have my inhaler handy, and will sometimes watch the fireworks from inside the house (where the air is clean!!!)

If you aren't sure if you should take someone with asthma to the emergency room, here is a short page from Nemours Hospital called When to Seek Help

Happy Independence Day everyone and I hope you can breathe well!