Fireworks are fun and beautiful, but can be deadly in the wrong hands

Fireworks have been an essential part of Fourth of July celebrations since the United States declared its independence from Great Britain. (Founding father and eventual President John Adams made the connection in a famous 1776 letter to his wife.)

They’re fun, they’re beautiful – and they can be dangerous in the wrong hands.

According to a news release from Gadsden Regional Medical Center, citing U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission statistics, 11 people died and more than 10,000 were injured in fireworks-related incidents in 2022, whether from misuse, malfunction or tip-overs. The 2023 numbers were eight deaths and 9,700 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.

Most injuries were from amateurs attempting either to use professional-grade fireworks, or homemade varieties. However, even smaller things like firecrackers and sparklers can cause problems.

Sparklers can reach metal-melting temperatures of more than 2,000 degrees, for example, and the National Council on Fireworks Safety reports that most injuries related to them occur in children ages 14 and under.

“If sparklers can melt metals, imagine the severity of the burns they can cause to hands,” said Dr. Andy Vann, a physician in GRMC’s emergency department. “Even with adult supervision, there is no safe way for a child to handle a sparkler.”

Burns are the most common fireworks-related injuries, according to the release, accounting for 38% of those treated. However, minor cuts and bruises all the way up to serious injuries that caused blindness or necessitated amputation were reported. People’s hands, fingers, legs, heads, faces, ears and eyes were impacted.

Vann advises people not to take the risk and to bypass the countless fireworks stands that pop up at this time of the year.

“Leave the fireworks to the professionals,” he said in the news release. “By attending community-sponsored displays, you can enjoy the celebrations from a distance, without putting yourself or your loved ones in harm’s way.”

If you insist on backyard pyrotechnics of your own, USA TODAY supplied these tips from the CPSC:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers;

• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them;

• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap;

• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly;

• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully;

• Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

USA TODAY also offered these recommendations from the Department of Homeland Security:

• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding;

• Never place a part of your body directly over a firework or hold a firework in your hand when lighting;

• Only light one firework at a time.

And if there are injuries, especially burns, seek emergency treatment if a burn is larger than palm size or if there is drainage, redness or swelling.