As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, officials remind people that fireworks can be dangerous. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 13,000 people experienced firework-related injuries and 15 people died last year. This represents a 36% increase in fatalities from 2024.
Safety Tips
To have a safe holiday weekend, follow these guidelines:
- Follow all local fireworks laws
- Light one firework at a time, then quickly move away
- Never aim, throw or point fireworks at people, animals or buildings
- Only light fireworks in an open, outdoor area
- Do not relight a dud. Wait 20 minutes then put it in a bucket of water.
- Young children should never handle fireworks, even sparklers. Sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave the shows to the professionals and watch a public fireworks display instead.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
