As the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, experts warn of the dangers of fireworks and advise people to take precautions to avoid injuries. 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, notes that younger generations may be more prone to injuries due to peer pressure or silly challenges. She advises leaving fireworks to the professionals and taking precautions such as keeping a respectful distance from lit fireworks and never aiming them at anyone.
Sparklers, often used as party favors, can also be hazardous, burning at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission warns that people with sparkler-related injuries represented 1,300 trips to the emergency room last year. Young children should never handle sparklers, and older children should be supervised when using them.
Several parts of the country are experiencing dry weather and drought conditions, making fireworks even more hazardous. Experts advise obeying local laws and regulations regarding fireworks, and taking precautions such as sporting closed-toe shoes, standing still, and wearing fitted clothing when handling sparklers.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
