As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, experts are warning of the dangers of fireworks and urging people to take precautions to avoid injuries and fatalities. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 13,000 people experienced firework-related injuries and 15 people died last year, a 36% increase in fatalities from 2024.
Firework Safety Tips
Dr. Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency physician, advises leaving fireworks to the professionals and taking precautions such as keeping a respectful distance from lit fireworks and never aiming them at anyone. She also warns of the dangers of sparklers, which can burn at a scorching 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and cause devastating injuries.
Young children should never handle sparklers, and older children should be supervised when using them. It’s also important to obey local laws and regulations regarding fireworks, especially in areas experiencing dry weather and drought conditions.
Several states have taken preemptive measures to address firework hazards, including Utah, which has temporarily banned personal firework use statewide due to the ongoing Cottonwood Fire. Other states, such as Arizona and California, have also implemented restrictions and fines for firework misuse.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
