KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Fourth of July is back, and so are the explosions and bright colors of annual fireworks. People traveling to the hospital with firework-related injuries may also soon return.
Most of the time, injuries related to fireworks are reported after people mishandle them. People should never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. People should also make sure fireworks are legal to set off in their areas before deciding to light them, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
People who want to light fireworks should make sure to only set them off one at a time and never try to re-light fireworks that did not work initially. They should also keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case a fire starts to burn.
The commission said around 9,700 people were treated in emergency rooms across the U.S. in 2023, and eight deaths were reported due to fireworks. It said around 42% of firework-related injuries were burns, and 35% of injuries involved hands and fingers. Around 800 injuries were caused by firecrackers, and around 700 were caused by sparklers, the commission said.
"Sparklers are fun for younger children, but they are fire on a stick. Keep them away from people as well, and point them out and away from each other," said Butch Campbell, the Blount County Fire Protection District's assistant chief.
He also said nobody should ever throw point or throw fireworks at another person, putting them at risk for severe injuries.