Fireflies are not the only ones lighting up the summer night skies. Americans love their fireworks and many of us take every opportunity to celebrate summer holidays and events with them. This Fourth of July, TCHD wants to remind everyone that while fireworks are a part of American tradition, we want to be sure our celebrations don’t turn into trips to the hospital.
This is Public Health is brought to you in partnership with the Tuscarawas County Health Department.
A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report recorded eight deaths and an estimated 9,700 injuries involving fireworks. Out of the eight deaths, five were associated with firework misuse, two with a device malfunction, and one involves unknown circumstances. The report shows that between 2008 and 2023, injuries from fireworks have increased overall, despite recent data showing a steady decline since the peak in 2020 during the pandemic when public displays were canceled.
CPSC conducted an analysis of the injury data in the four weeks surrounding the July 4th holiday in 2023 and found the following:
- Teenagers ages 15 to 19 years of age had the highest estimated rate of emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries, with children ages 5-9 years old having the second highest rate.
- There were an estimated 800 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers and 700 with sparklers.
- The parts of the body most often injured by fireworks were hands and fingers (an estimated 35 percent of injuries) along with head, face, and ears (an estimated 22 percent).
- About 42 percent of the emergency department-treated fireworks-related injuries were for burns.
- In fiscal year 2023, approximately 18% of selected and tested fireworks products were found to contain noncompliant components, including fuse violations, the presence of prohibited chemicals and pyrotechnic materials overload.
How to Enjoy Fireworks Safely
The National Safety Council advises everyone to enjoy fireworks at public displays conducted by professionals, and not to use any fireworks at home. They warn that they may be legal but they are not safe.
They advise that If You Choose to Use Legal Fireworks, be sure to follow the following safety tips:
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks
- Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
- Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
- Never light them indoors
- Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
- Never ignite devices in a container
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
- Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
- Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire
- Never use illegal fireworks
The National Safety Council also wants to remind parents that even sparklers can pose a threat to children. Sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. According to the National Fire Protection Association, sparklers alone account for more than 25% of emergency room visits for fireworks injuries. For children under 5 years of age, sparklers accounted for nearly half of the total estimated injuries.
They advise that parents consider using safer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers.
Always seek emergency care for any fireworks-related injuries. If you need a medical provider for routine medical care, you can call the Tuscarawas County Health Department at (330) 343-5555, ext. 1810 to make an appointment. New patients 12 and older are welcome. Most insurances accepted, including Medicare and Medicaid. Sliding fee scale discounts are available for those who qualify.
