The American tradition of fireworks to commemorate the Fourth of July is upon us. Hundreds of millions of pounds of fireworks are used each year around the patriotic holiday, including community shows directed by professionals and at-home firecrackers, sparklers and other devices lighting up backyard skies.
For those who decide to light their own fireworks, it’s important to follow safety measures so that a fun celebration doesn’t turn into a medical emergency. Consider some of the statistics from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):
- On average, 230 people go the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.
- More than 69 percent of the injuries are burns.
- Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 31 percent of the injuries in 2016.
“Even the most benign fireworks can potentially cause severe burns,” said Ricardo Castrellon, M.D., [1] medical director of the Burn Center [2] at South Miami Hospital. “Seek emergency care right away for any large blisters that form and for blistering burns to the face, hands, feet, genital area or on top of joints.”
More fireworks safety tips are included in the infographic below.
Infographic by Irina de Souza