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As many Americans look forward to celebrating Fourth of July with their families and friends, fireworks injuries increased 25 percent in the U.S. between 2006 and 2021, according to a new report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which reviewed fireworks injuries last year.
“It is imperative that consumers know the risks associated with the use of fireworks so that injuries and tragedies can be prevented. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch the professional displays,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Sarich in a press release about the report.
Spectators watch the 45th annual Macy’s 4th of July fireworks display overlooking the Manhattan skyline at Gantry State Plaza in Long Island City on July 4 in the Queens borough of New York. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
“CPSC’s Office of Compliance and Field Operations continues to work closely with other federal agencies to prevent the sale of illegal consumer fireworks.”
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Approximately 11,500 people went to trauma emergency department related to fireworks in 2021, which was down from 15,600 injuries treated in the emergency room in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic when many public events were canceled, according to the report.
74% of all fireworks-related injuries in 2021 occurred in the few weeks before and after July 4 of last year, with the highest estimated rate of emergency department visits in the 20-24 age group.
A young man wearing a US flag smiles on the deck of the Belle of Louisville, a historic steamship, during the Fourth of July fireworks cruise on July 4, 2021 in Louisville, Kentucky. (John Cherry/Getty Images)
The hands and fingers were the most commonly injured body part, followed by the head, face and ears in 2021. Approximately 34% of injuries occurred to the hands, feet or torso.
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Approximately one-third of firework-related injuries treated in the emergency room in 2021 were for burns, while about 31% of fireworks sampled and tested contained non-compliant components, according to the report.
And a national study by the University of Michigan bears this out children should also be aware of firework safety.
“For many families, fireworks are a favorite summer tradition, but fireworks are unpredictable. It’s essential that parents keep children away from where these fireworks are set off,” said Sarah Clark, co-director of a recent University of Michigan Health Children’s Hospital CS Mott National Study on Children’s Health.
“Our study shows that some parents may need to be more diligent about providing a safe environment that minimizes these risks and protects children from fireworks injuries.”
Over half of the parents surveyed reported that someone in the family or their neighborhood had set off fireworks in the previous two years.
But the survey reported that only one in five children had sat at least 100 feet from where aerial fireworks were launched.
“Parents differ as to what age they would allow their child to participate in setting off fireworks,” Clark said in the press release.
“But parents need to make sure that children are of the right age and maturity level to understand the dangers involved and the importance of carefully following all safety rules. If the child is not ready to do these things, the risk of burns, eye injuries and other accidents increases.”
People gather along Main Street to watch fireworks as they celebrate Independence Day on July 4, 2021 in Sweetwater, Tennessee. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Parents often see sparklers as a safer alternative for children, but according to the CPSC report, in 2021 there were 1,100 emergency room-related injuries due to sparklers.
Sparklers can burn over 1,000 degrees, which can cause serious burn injuries if not handled properly, Clark said.
“Children should keep sparklers at arm’s length from their own eyes, hair and clothing. Much of the fun of sparklers is spinning or waving them around, which can make it a challenge for parents to ensure adequate spacing between children,” the Mott Poll report said.
“Parents may believe that sparklers are a safe way for younger children to enjoy summer festivities. But these are hand-held fireworks that can reach temperatures high enough to burn some metals,” Clark said in the press release.
Sparkles are only safe if parents follow all safety precautions and children follow them.
Here are some others firework safety tips from the press release:
- Only buy legal fireworks that are labeled for consumer use.
- Use eye protection if setting off fireworks.
- Stay at least 100 feet away from where fireworks are being set off.
- Only light one firework at a time.
- Never point or throw fireworks or sparklers at anyone.
- Take a bucket of water or a garden hose in case of emergency.
- Place the sparkler in a bucket of water after use.
- Make sure children wear shoes around the fireworks.
“Be prepared to use first aid. For minor burns, place a cloth soaked in cool water on the area for about five minutes. Then cover with a clean bandage and give your child acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling,” the message said.
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“For a large burn or if the burn involves the eyes, take the child to the emergency room immediately.”
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