Fireworks Injury Incidents and Safety Tips for Your Family

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced on June 26, the release of a special study regarding incidents of injuries surrounding July 4 holiday festivities. The study, conducted by CPSC staff, found that 65 percent (or 7,400) of all fireworks injuries in 2013 were sustained during the 30 days surrounding the Independence Day holiday.

Shockingly, CPSC staff found that there were an estimated 11,400 people who sustained injuries related to fireworks. The 11,400 fireworks related injuries are a swift increase from 2012, which found 8,700 firework related injuries. More than half of these injuries were the result of unexpected ignition of the device or consumers not using fireworks as intended. Fireworks injuries most often resulted in burns to the hands and head, including the eyes, face, and ears. According to the special study, sparklers, firecrackers, and aerial devices were associated with the most incidents.

Whether it is the sparkle of the bright lights, or the thunderous boom of the explosion, there is no denying the thrill that fireworks can bring to an Independence Day celebration. Unfortunately, when consumers get their hands on professional fireworks, the results can be deadly. Last year, CPSC received reports of eight consumers who were killed by either professional-grade or homemade firework devices.

While the majority of fireworks injury reports involve emergency room treatment and release, CPSC is aware of more severe and fatal injuries that are associated with consumer use of professional-grade and homemade fireworks. Reports of faster-than-expected explosions and unpredictable flight paths of aerial devices have resulted in tragic consequences for some consumers.

In the eight reported fireworks-related deaths, the victims were killed when the illegal devices exploded, causing severe trauma to the head and face, and resulting in decapitation in one incident. In other incidents involving professional-grade or homemade devices, the victims reportedly sustained severe burns and the loss of fingers.

CPSC urges consumers to follow these safety steps:

1. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
2. Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. Parents may not realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees—hot enough to melt some metals.
3. Always have an adult closely supervise fireworks activities if older children are allowed to handle devices.
4. Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
5. Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
6. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
7. Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
8. Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
9. Light fireworks one at a time, and then move back quickly.
10. Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
11. After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. For more information please visit CPSC online and for consumer product related questions call the CPSC Hotline at (800) 638-2772. El CPSC estudio está disponible en español.