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The 4th of July is an American tradition like no other. “You’re thinking parties you’re thinking picnics and parades,” said Injury Prevention Resource Coordinator Syndi Bultman.
And what’s Independence Day without fireworks? However, Trauma Surgeon Dr. Joseph Lewis urges everyone to celebrate responsibility. “The most common thing that we see from fireworks is burns. But some of those high-powered fireworks that do malfunction on chance, can cause massive, devastating explosion injuries. You can lose fingers, hands and even extremities.”
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said nearly 15 thousand people were treated for fireworks injuries in 2024. 11 people died. “If you're going to play with fireworks, similar to having a designated driver, you need to have a designated igniter. That person should not be intoxicated. That's what we see most commonly is the person with firework injuries is also the person that's igniting, and they're also intoxicated,” said Dr. Lewis.
It’s not just fireworks. Sparklers can burn at 2000° Fahrenheit. There was an estimated 1700 emergency room treated injuries involving sparklers in 2024. “The chemicals that they're using in those sparklers ignite at very high temperatures, and they also sustain until that sparkler is done. So that's why it glows bright red even after it's done. It's an extraordinarily hot, fun little toy until it burns you,” said Dr. Lewis.
Be sure to keep a close eye on kids near pools and the grill. Make a plan to get home if you are going to drink. And maybe leave the firework show to the professionals.
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