(KAIR)--Warm summer weather can be an ideal time for families to gather for some outdoor fun, but the warm weather can also lead to an increase in Emergency Room visits due to burn injuries.

The Kansas Hospital Association reports that fire and burn ER visits from 2007-2001 peaked in the month of July. According to stats from the Office of the State Fire Marshall, in 2013, more than a third of Kansas hospitals reported 133 injuries due to fireworks.

Cheri Sage, with Safe Kids Kansas says that even when handled correctly, fireworks can sometimes be defective or unpredictable. She says that most parents will give their child sparklers, but they are not totally harmless. The tips can heat up to over 1,200 degrees and there is the added danger of having sparks shooting out from them. She recommends that parents give their children glow sticks. They can be just as fun, and they don't burn at a temperature that can melt glass.

In addition to fireworks, many families also enjoy gathering around a campfire. Sage advises parents to be fire smart when they head for the great outdoors, and be prepared to take the needed precautions to ensure the most safety. Kids should be kept from getting too close to the fire, and should know how to stop, drop, and roll in the event they need to extinguish a fire on their person. She also says it is a good idea to have plenty of water, as well as a shovel nearby to quickly be able to put that fire out if needed.

Grilling food outside is also very popular, but Sage says that children should not be involved in this activity in any way. In fact, it may be a good idea to designate a zone around the grill that kids cannot enter for their own safety.

Sage also advises parents to keep grills clean by removing grease or fat buildup in order to prevent flare ups.
For more information about fire safety, visit safekids.org