Fireworks: the surprising statistics

The Yuma Fire Department says according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, every 4th of July, thousands of people (most often children and teens) are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks – devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death (and civil/criminal liability).

There are far more U.S. fires reported on a typical Independence Day than on any other day of the year, and fireworks account for two out of five of those fires (more than any other cause of fire). Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires result in dozens of civilian injuries, and an annual average of three deaths and $40 million in direct property damage.

In 2015, US hospital emergency rooms treated more than 11,900 people for fireworks related injuries. Twenty-six percent of those injured were under the age of 15. Even fireworks sold as “safe and sane” (like sparklers and other novelties), can reach temperatures of over 1200 degrees (Water boils at 212 degrees and glass melts at 900 degrees!) and account for 25 percent of the emergency room visits. More than half of all fireworks injuries are from burns.

Most fireworks are still illegal in the state of Arizona (anything that explodes or leaves the ground), and further restricted (in the City of Yuma) to use on private property only (illegal on “all public property including all parks, sidewalks, streets and rights-of-ways”), but with statistics like these, do you really need a law to convince you or your children not to play with fireworks?

Playing with fire is never good and “Fireworks is Fire Play!” Have a happy and safe 4th of July and enjoy a professional fireworks display!