Fireworks Safety Tips for Fourth of July
The Fourth of July carries significant cultural significance for our country and is a time to celebrate and enjoy festivities with families and friends; however, each year, during the first week of July, thousands of Americans are admitted to emergency rooms with burn injuries caused by fireworks.
To avoid the potential for serious injury and death, it is important that we all recognize the dangers that fireworks can pose and handle fireworks with caution and awareness Here are a few tips that can keep your firework fun, safe, and free of injury this Independence Day.
4th of July Firework Injury Facts and Statistics
- In 2019, an estimated 10,000 injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
- A majority of these injuries occurred on or near the July 4th weekend.
- According to the CPSC, more than half of these injuries were the result of unexpected ignition.
- Children under the age of 15 accounted for 36 percent of firework injuries in 2019, and nearly 50 percent of emergency room-treated injuries were to individuals under the age of 20.
- Though typically thought of as relatively safe, sparklers accounted for 12 percent of fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms.
- In 2019, there were at least 12 reported, non-occupational fireworks-related deaths in the U.S.
Facts About Firework Injuries
- More than half of all emergency room visits dealing with fireworks-related injuries involve burn injuries.
- Burns to the head are the most common fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency rooms These burns are often to the eyes, face, and ears.
- Other firework accidents result in severe hand burns which can result in the loss of fingers.
- In most accidents, sparklers, firecrackers, and flying firework devices are involved.
- Firework accident fatalities are nearly always caused by a device that malfunctions and explodes.
Firework Safety Tips
- Closely supervise children playing with fireworks.
- Never allow small children to ignite fireworks.
- When popping fireworks, always keep a bucket of water or hose close by.
- Never place any part of the body directly over a firework device.
- Never point fireworks in the direction of another person.
- Never try to relight a malfunctioning firework device.
- Never shoot off fireworks out of a glass or metal container.
- Only purchase legal fireworks.
- Never buy fireworks that come in a brown paper bag because they may not be meant for sale to consumers.
Injured in a Fireworks Accident? Contact Thomas J. Henry Law
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