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The Fourth of July is a time traditionally shared with family picnics and get-togethers.
Many of those celebrations will be accompanied by a few bangs, booms and splashes of color and sparks. And, while we hope everyone will have a good time, we ask, once again, that you leave the fireworks to the professionals.
Summer, especially the weeks that surround the Independence Day holiday, offers the promise of relaxing, care-free enjoyment, but this time of year can be dangerous. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 9,700 fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency rooms and at least eight deaths across the United States in 2023, with 66 percent of those injuries coming in the 30 days surrounding July 4.
Firecrackers were reported as the No. 1 cause of injuries at 800, and sparklers were not too far behind at 700. Rockets accounted for about 500 injuries. The majority of those injured -- 67 percent -- were males. Most likely to be injured are those in the 25-44 age group -- 31 percent -- followed closely by those between the ages of 15 and 24 -- 28 percent. Sadly, 23 percent of the injuries happened to those between the ages of 5 and 14.
Most of the fireworks injuries were to the hands and fingers, legs, eyes, head, face and ears, and more than 42 percent of the injuries were burns.
The majority of those injuries -- 35 percent -- came to hands and fingers, while 22 percent came to the head, face and ears. Eye injuries accounted for 19 percent, trunk and other injuries for 11 percent and leg injuries for 8 percent.
Remember that even the simplest of fireworks can cause a great deal of damage to individuals and property. Bottle rockets, for example, have been known to cause house fires when they land on a roof and can ignite an entire neighborhood if they fall on dry vegetation. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 19,500 fires are started by fireworks each year.
Even novelty items, such as sparklers, which are legal in most locations, can cause severe injuries -- they burn at about 2,000 degrees, the safety commission says, and can cause clothing to ignite and severe, life-changing damage to skin. To help put that temperature into perspective, the fire protection association says glass melts at 900 degrees and wood burns at 575 degrees.
Glow sticks, the association says, are a much safer option.
Children are excited and curious about fireworks, which can lead to serious injuries -- remember, an open flame is needed to ignite fireworks, and a book or box of matches or a lighter can bring a whole different set of dangers.
Consumers also need to be wary about the fireworks they purchase -- the CPSC reports that 18 percent of selected and tested fireworks products were found to contain noncompliant components, including fuse violations, the presence of prohibited chemicals and pyrotechnic materials overload.
This year, enjoy the many fireworks displays that are scheduled to take place around the area, and if you do choose to set off your own presentation in your backyard, make sure you keep safety first.