2017 Fourth Of July Fireworks-Related Accidents Cause Death, Injuries

Fireworks-related accidents over the Fourth of July holiday weekend have caused at least one death and several people have been injured in incidents across the country.

In Henderson, Kentucky, a man was killed Monday night when a firework hit him in the chest as he bent over to light it, the Gleaner reported. The firework apparently went off prematurely, and the impact was so strong it was enough to stop the 25-year-old man's heart.

In another incident in Northwest Indiana, a 13-year-old boy is in critical condition when someone discharged a firearm that police believe was likely fired into the sky as a firework. The bullet fell on the teen as he was playing basketball on Saturday. Police are now urging residents to keep their celebrations limited to legal fireworks only. In another incident involving teens, two boys, aged 12 or 13, were injured in Washington State when they picked up a firework they found, King5 reported. One of the boys is said to have severely injured his hand.

SEE ALSO: America’s Dangerous Love For Pyrotechnics: 4 Facts About Fireworks,

Fireworks Safety: Mannequins Blow Up In Dramatic CPSC Video

Meanwhile, in New York, an SUV burst into flames on a highway when an electrical problem caused fireworks in the trunk of the vehicle to explode, WABC reports. Five people were injured in the incident Monday night and charges are possible as the fireworks in the trunk were illegal. A similar incident was reported in Pembroke, New Hampshire where firefighters were met with exploding fireworks as they approached a burning car. Firefighters say an unintentional misuse of a sparkler ignited a load of fireworks in the cargo area of an SUV. No one was harmed in the incident though the car was destroyed.

Two accidents were reported in Iowa. A man lost his hand Monday night in Sioux City, Iowa, the Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier reported. In the second accident, a mother and her one-month old daughter were injured when a firework launched sideways instead of going straight up Saturday night. The projectile hit the mother who tossed her baby from her arms onto a blanket nearby right before the firecracker exploded.

In a report released in 2016, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said 2015 was the worst year for fireworks injuries in at least 15 years. At least 11 deaths were attributed to fireworks and an estimated 11,900 people were taken to hospitals. About 67 percent of those injuries occurred in the 30 days before and after July Fourth celebrations. The CPSC also estimates that on average, 250 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.

To show the danger of fireworks, the CPSC offers a few simple tips and also put together a demonstration that shows in graphic details just how deadly fireworks can be if not handled properly.

Some of the tips offered by the CPSC are:

1. Never allow children to handle a firework device
2. Check local laws and only use legal, consumer-grade fireworks
3. Leave professional fireworks to the professionals
4. If using consumer fireworks, make sure you keep a bucket of water or a hose handy
5. Don't try to relight a firework that turns out to be a dud

Marc Torrence contributed to this report

Image via Pixabay