More Americans than ever can legally launch fireworks on July 4. To prepare, they’ve stocked up on more than 200 million pounds of “ooohhh” and “aaahhh.”
Consumer fireworks are a nearly $700 million industry in the United States. Since 2000, half a dozen states relaxed their restrictions on fireworks, in part to capture lost tax revenue.
Today, fireworks are legal in some form in 47 states and the District of Columbia. This is the first Independence Day since New York lifted its statewide ban.
But consumer fireworks are no joke. Last year, 11 people were killed and more than 10,000 people injured in fireworks-related accidents, according to a Consumer Products Safety Commission report.
Most of the injuries were burns due to malfunction or misuse. Three of the deaths were bystanders who died in fires or from smoke inhalation.
People are often injured by fireworks when they're “lacking common sense" or drinking, said University of Cincinnati emergency physician Dustin LeBlanc.
“I see a lot of hand related injuries as well as burns of various degrees,” he said. “It can be very concerning because it significantly impacts the ability to perform daily tasks.”
Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnic Association, said many fireworks injuries are due to illegal fireworks, which lack quality control and can produce powerful explosions.
“When you read articles that people lost their hand, that was an illegal firecracker,” Heckman said. “A legal one has 50 miligrams of explosives, which is enough to sting but not enough to blow your digits off.”
Illegal or commercial grade fireworks are often sold in plain paper bags from unlicensed retailers.
Illegal fireworks like the M-80 can contain 3,000 miligrams of explosives — that’s 60 times the firepower of a legal device.
But most injuries are still caused by legal fireworks, said Nikki Fleming, public affairs officer for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
That includes sparklers, which can burn as hot as a blow torch and ignite clothing. In 2014, sparklers and bottle rockets accounted for 23 percent of injuries.
“Many believe that sparklers may be safe for children,” Fleming said. “But they burn at 1,200 degrees, hot enough to melt metals.”
The Consumer Products Safety Commission recommends these steps for a safe Fourth of July:
Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper.
Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
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 carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
Gavin Stern is a national digital producer for the Scripps National Desk.
