ASHI and MEDIC First Aid Blog

According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, 49 states plus the District of Columbia allow legal consumer fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July. That being said, the type of permitted fireworks varies from state to state, ranging from wood stick sparklers to much larger multiple-tube devices.

But fireworks of all types and sizes can quickly become dangerous, causing property damage, burns, injuries and even death.

Although fireworks can be fun, they aren’t always safe in the hands of consumers. Understanding the data, and therefore the risk, can help you make smarter and safer decisions when using consumer fireworks.

Let’s take a look at some of the most recent fireworks-related injuries data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Fireworks-Related injuries data

An estimated 10,000 people visited an emergency room in 2019 for fireworks-related injuries. And 73% of those ER visits took place from June 21 to July 21.

If we just look at those 7,300 visits that happened in the month surrounding July 4th, males accounted for 66% of fireworks-related injuries and females accounted for 34%.

Injuries by firework type

Here’s a sample of what we know about Fourth of July fireworks-related injuries that resulted in an emergency department treatment based on the type of firework being used.

• 900 injuries from sparklers

• 400 injuries from roman candles

• 500 injuries from bottle rockets and missiles

• 800 injuries from firecrackers

More than half of all fireworks-related injuries were listed as caused by an unknown fireworks device.

Injuries by demographic

Here’s a breakdown of fireworks-related injuries by age group from highest injury rate to lowest.

• 25-44 years, 34%

• 0-4 years, 14%

• 15-19 years, 13%

• 10-14 years, 11%

• 5-9 years, 11%

• 20-24 years, 8%

• 45-64 years, 7%

• 65+ years, 1%

Altogether, Children under the age of 15 accounted for more than one-third (36%) of reported fireworks-related injuries.

Injuries by body part

The most common fireworks-related injuries occur to the hands, fingers and legs. But injuries can occur throughout the body. Here’s a breakdown of injuries by body part.

• Hands or fingers, 30%

• Legs, 23%

• Eyes, 15%

• Head, face or ears, 15%

• Arms 10%

• Other, 7%

Burns accounted for 58% of fireworks injury in the month surrounding July 4^th.

Stay safe this Fourth of July

To better prepare yourself for handling consumer fireworks, check out our Fourth of July Safety Tips blog for some safety guidelines and minor burn care steps.