Some Memorial Day barbecues never make it to dessert.

Holiday weekends often bring a steady stream of patients to clinics like State Urgent Care with injuries caused by grill burns, kitchen cuts or even the oppressive Mississippi sun. They may not be deadly, but they’re enough to spoil an afternoon.

With some practical BBQ safety tips, you can ensure your weekend goes smoothly, and if anything goes wrong, you can get walk-in service seven days a week at State Urgent Care in Starkville.

Grill burns: the most common holiday injury

Considering the grill’s prominent role in most Memorial Day parties, it deserves a bit more deference than it usually gets.

The National Fire Protection Association puts the number of emergency room visits from grilling injuries at an average of 21,682 per year, based on 2019–2023 annual averages — a striking figure for what most consider just an ordinary good time in the backyard.

But you can avoid bad outcomes like those with a few basic habits:

Check your propane tank and hose connections before firing the grill
Position the grill far away from any buildings, trees — anything flammable
If you’re cooking for a crowd, designate one person to stay at the grill

You can often manage minor burns at home with cool water and a clean dressing. But if your burn is deep, or if it isn’t feeling better soon, come in. We handle burns regularly and can make sure yours heals the way it should.

Cuts and lacerations during food preparation

Holiday gatherings involve a lot of prep work. Prep work means a lot of sharp objects. Knives, skewers, broken glass — any of them can cause cuts and puncture wounds serious enough to send you to urgent care for the day.

Cut over flat, steady surfaces for optimal control
Take your time while slicing and keep your fingers positioned away from the blade
Sharp blades that need less pressure are safer than dull ones

Should a cut happen, Mayo Clinic’s guidance is straightforward: apply firm pressure with a clean cloth and raise the area over your heart.

Visit us for care if bleeding doesn’t stop or the injury looks severe. The wound will receive proper care, and we can even give you a tetanus booster if you’re due.

Heat exhaustion and dehydration

Memorial Day weekend is prime time for heat-related incidents. Between the outdoor activity and the hot grill, conditions are ripe for overheating. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable after a long afternoon outside without enough water, though anyone can be affected.

The CDC explains that a significant loss of water and salt, usually from profuse sweating, leads to heat exhaustion and can escalate without prompt action. You can reduce the risk at your own cookout by:

Keeping water accessible throughout the day
Taking regular breaks in the shade
Encouraging kids to drink regularly (even if they say they’re not thirsty)

Watch for warning signs like heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness or nausea. If someone develops a pounding headache, stops sweating despite the heat or becomes confused, that’s your cue to bring them to State Urgent Care.

We have IV fluid hydration on-site and can get fluid levels back to normal quickly, without the wait you’d face at a hospital.

Sprains, falls and yard game injuries

Should you or your child fall and the pain lingers, consider coming in for an urgent care check-up. Proper evaluation is necessary for sprains and fractures caused by slippery grass or yard game accidents.

Remember that trying to walk off a fracture can cause it to heal improperly and make things worse. At State Urgent Care, we offer on-site X-rays so we can see exactly what’s going on, and we can splint and wrap the injury before you leave.

For a safe Memorial Day weekend in Starkville

Taking a little time to prepare now can pay off handsomely throughout your long holiday weekend. If you or someone in your group needs attention this Memorial Day, walk into State Urgent Care over at 521 South Montgomery Street.

We’re open all weekend, we accept most insurance and we’ll get you seen and on your way. Come see us if you have any issues over Memorial Day Weekend.