Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.
The Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks is a group of health and safety organizations, coordinated by NFPA, that urges the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.
Fireworks by the numbers
- In 2011, fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,200 total structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage. The Consumer Products Safety Commission has released its report on "Fireworks-Related Deaths, Emergency Department-Treated Injuries, and Enforcement Activities During 2014".
- In 2013, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,400 people for fireworks related injuries; 55% of those injuries were to the extremities and 38% were to the head.
- The risk of fireworks injury is highest for young people ages 0-4, followed by children 10-14.
On July 4th in a typical year, far more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for two out of five of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.
Source: NFPA’s Fireworks report, by John R. Hall, Jr., June 2013