It’s that time of year when Americans will be out with loved ones celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks, picnics, and barbecues. A new report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows a significant upward trend in fireworks-related burn injuries. In the 15 years between 2006 and 2021, fireworks-related injuries surged 25% in the U.S., CPSC estimates show.
What the Numbers Show
Last year alone, at least nine people died and about 11,500 others were injured in incidents involving fireworks. Of the nine U.S. deaths, six were associated with firework misuse, one death was caused by a mortar launch malfunction and two others were associated with unknown circumstances. Also, during this time period, there were an estimated 11,500 emergency room-treated injuries involving fireworks in 2021. An estimated 8,500 fireworks injuries in 2021 – 74% of the total injuries – occurred during the one-month study period between June 18 and July 18 last year. In 2021, the parts of the body most often injured by fireworks were the hands and fingers along with the head, face, and ears. About 32% of emergency department-treated fireworks-related injuries in 2021 were for burns.Holiday Safety Tips
Here are some important fireworks safety tips to remember this July 4:- Do not allow young children to play with or set off fireworks, including sparklers.
- Always keep a bucket of water or working garden hose handy in case of a fire.
- Light fireworks one at a time and then move quickly away from it.
- Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. It is best to soak them with water and discard them safely.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device.
- After fireworks have burned out, douse them with plenty of water before discarding them.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your city and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumers (safe and sane) to use.
Brian Chase
Brian Chase is the managing partner of Bisnar Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP. He is the lead trial lawyer and oversees cases handling dangerous and defective products that injure consumers. Brian is a top-rated attorney with many honors and awards for his work relating to auto defects and dangerous products. His firm has recovered over $800M for its clients.