Attorney General Morrisey Offers Safety Tips for Independence Day Celebrations

CHARLESTON, WV (WVDN) — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey reminds consumers to make safe and responsible decisions as they celebrate the upcoming Independence Day holiday.

Parades, cookouts and fireworks are synonymous with Fourth of July celebrations. Many families opt to celebrate at home and may choose to buy and use sparklers, ground spinners or aerial fireworks as part of their festivities.

“Celebrating our nation’s independence is a highlight of summer and it’s a great time for families and friends to gather to celebrate America, our freedom, and our history and how far we’ve come as a nation,” Attorney General Morrisey said. “I encourage everyone to be safe and exercise caution when lighting fireworks, spinners and even sparklers. It could make the difference between a great summer memory or an emergency.”

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 9,700 people were treated in emergency rooms nationwide for fireworks injuries in 2023, with 66% of injuries occurring in the weeks surrounding the Fourth of July holiday. Last year there were eight deaths from fireworks.

An estimated 42% of fireworks injuries were burns, with hands and fingers accounting for 35% of body parts injured, followed by the head, face and ears (22%); eyes (19%); trunk/other (11%) and legs (8%).

Approximately 800 emergency department-treated injuries were associated with firecrackers and about 700 treated burns were linked to sparklers.

Tips to help make your holiday celebrations safer include:

• Only use fireworks in a clear area.
• Read all instructions before igniting fireworks.
• Never allow small children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at approximately 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and can cause serious injury.
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision.
• Keep a bucket of water or a water hose nearby in case of fire or other mishap.
• Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• Anyone using fireworks should use protective eyewear.
• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move away quickly.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that did not fully ignite.
• Never point or throw fireworks toward another person.
• Soak spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before throwing them away in the trash.

Consumers should buy fireworks from a licensed retailer and look up local ordinances that pertain to the use of fireworks before using them.

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