The American traditions of parades, cookouts, and fireworks help us celebrate the summer season, especially our nation's birthday on the Fourth of July.

However, fireworks can turn a joyful celebration into a painful memory when children and adults are injured while using fireworks.  

Decades of accidents teach us that consumer fireworks are dangerous – according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 9,000 fireworks-related injuries are seen in emergency rooms each year. Of these, nearly half are injuries to the head, nearly 30 percent of these injuries are to the eyes and one-fourth result in permanent vision loss or blindness.

The typical victim is a male teenager, at home, unsupervised, with a group of friends. Three-fourths of all eye injuries caused by consumer fireworks are to boys between the ages of 13 and 15. The most dangerous type of firework is the bottle rocket, which flies erratically, causing bystander injuries.

Although illegal fireworks, bottle rockets and Roman candles account for the majority of injuries, seemingly harmless sparklers are also dangerous. For children under the age of five, sparklers – which can burn at nearly 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit – account for one-third of all fireworks injuries.

"The intense heat can burn not only skin, but also the eyes," said Stuart Dankner, MD, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "I've treated several children who suffered corneal burns from sparklers. This type of ocular injury can lead to corneal scars and permanent vision loss."

For these reasons, the Colorado State Fire Chiefs’ Association urges families to attend public fireworks displays put on by professionals. But, if you decide to use fireworks, be sure to follow these important safety tips:

• Observe state and local laws.  Only purchase those items that are legal for use in the state, from a Colorado licensed fireworks retailer.  But know that, even if legal in the state, many cities in Colorado ban the sale and use of ALL fireworks, and the possession and use of ANY fireworks may result in fines or other penalties.

• Do not allow young children to play with fireworks under any circumstances. Sparklers, considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.

• Older children should only be permitted to use fireworks under close adult supervision. Do not allow any running or horseplay.

•  Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from houses, dry leaves or grass and flammable materials.

• Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that don't go off.

• Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.

• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

• Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.

• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.

• Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.

• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting

• Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.

Resources

NFPA Fireworks Report – 2006

In 2004, 9,600 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms. The trend in fireworks-related injuries has been mostly up since 1996, with a sharp spike in 2000-2001, primarily due to celebrations around the advent of a new millennium. The highest injury rates were for children aged 5 to 9, only slightly higher than the rates for children aged 10 to 14 and individuals aged 15 to 19.

In 2004, five out of six (85%) emergency room fireworks injuries involved fireworks that Federal regulations permit consumers to use. The risk of fire death relative to exposure shows fireworks as the riskiest consumer product.

Click Here for a copy of the report: NFPA Fireworks Report – 2006

CPSC 2005 Fireworks Annual Report

Fireworks-Related Deaths, Emergency Department -Treated Injuries, and Enforcement Activities During 2005

This report provides the results of the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff analysis of data on fireworks-related deaths and injuries during 2005. The report also includes a summary of CPSC staff enforcement activities during that year.

Click Here for a copy of the report: CPSC 2005 Fireworks Report

CDC Report: Serious Eye Injuries Associated with Fireworks — United States, 1990–1994

Fireworks-Associated Serious Eye injuries caused by fireworks can cause permanently reduced visual acuity or blindness. Findings from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database maintained by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) indicate that approximately 12,000 persons are treated each year in U.S. emergency departments because of fireworks-related injuries; of these, an estimated 20% are eye injuries.

Click Here for a copy of the report: CDC Eye Injury Report

American Academy of Pediatrics: Fireworks-Related Injuries to Children

An estimated 8500 individuals, approximately 45% of them children younger than 15 years, were treated in US hospital emergency departments during 1999 for fireworks-related injuries.

Click Here for a copy of the report: Children & Fireworks