4th Of July Fireworks Safety: How To Avoid Blowing Off A Finger

ACROSS AMERICA — Fourth of July fireworks foolishness is legendary, from tales about the time mischievous cousins staged bottle rocket wars in their back yards and set fire to the entire neighborhood.

Fireworks are not just high-spirited but risky fun.

The 4th of July is the most dangerous day of the year, with trips to hospital emergency rooms by far the highest daily numbers of the year, according to the Pew Research Center. Fireworks are the culprit. About two-thirds of firework injuries occur during the weeks surrounding Independence Day, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The agency’s report for 2023 showed fireworks injuries are moving in a positive direction after pandemic era years when people vented frustration with stay-at-home orders and entertainment business closures with more ostentatious fireworks displays.

Last year, eight people were killed and 9,700 were injured in fireworks accidents, according to the agency’s latest report. That compares with:

• 2022: 11 deaths and 10,200 injuries
• 2021: 9 deaths and 11,500 injuries
• 2020: 18 deaths and 15,600 injuries
• 2019: 12 deaths and 10,000 injuries

Last year’s fireworks fatalities included a Kentucky man who died after trying to light a commercial-grade firework with a homemade mortar tube. The firework was designed for electronic detonation because it ignites instantly. Authorities said the victim cut the wick in half and the firework immediately exploded when it was lit.

The man’s death was one of five in 2023 attributed to misuse of fireworks. Two other people died when their fireworks malfunctioned. Circumstances surrounding the death of the other person are unknown, the report said.

The highest number of injuries requiring a trip to the ER last year were reported among teenagers ages 15 to 19. The second-highest rate was among children ages 5 to 9.

Sparklers injured nearly as many people as more powerful firecrackers. About 700 people went to the emergency room with burns and injuries from sparklers, while 800 were injured by firecrackers.

About 35 percent of emergency room visitors last year had injuries to their hands and fingers, and about 22 percent sustained injuries to their head, face and ears. Injuries required burn treatment in about 42 percent of cases.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission also noted that last year, about 18 percent of selected and tested fireworks were found to contain noncompliant compounds, including fuse violations, the presence of prohibited chemicals and pyrotechnic materials overload.

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Tips To Celebrate Safely

Despite the dangers, fireworks are a legal part of many Americans’ 4th of July celebrations. Below are some tips to keep at-home fireworks shows as safe as possible:

• Do not allow young children to play with fireworks. Sparklers, a firework often considered by many to be the ideal “safe” device for the young, burn at very high temperatures and should not be handled by young children. Children may not understand the danger involved with fireworks and may not act appropriately while using them or in the event of an emergency.
• Older children should be permitted to use fireworks only under close adult supervision. Do not allow any running or horseplay.
• Set off fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from houses, dry leaves, grass and other flammable materials.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that fail to ignite or explode.
• Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Never light fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
• Check instructions for special storage directions.
• Observe local laws.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting it.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.