NFPA urges people to not use consumer fireworks

QUINCY, Mass. – In a typical year, the National Fire Protection Association encourages the public to only attend public fireworks displays put on by trained professionals, reflecting its long-standing position against consumer use of fireworks.

However, with public fireworks events around the country being canceled this year, NFPA is vigorously discouraging individuals’ use of consumer fireworks, recognizing that the likelihood of such activities may increase in the absence of public displays.

“While fireworks are an emblem of July 4 celebrations, in the absence of public displays this year, we strongly encourage people to find safe and creative alternatives for celebrating the holiday,” Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA, said. “Fireworks are simply too dangerous and unpredictable to be used safely by consumers. Even sparklers, which are often considered harmless enough for children, burn as hot as 1,200 degrees F and can cause third-degree burns.”

In addition to the harm consumer fireworks can inflict on individuals, Carli said that fireworks’ incidents place undue burdens on first responders and emergency room staff.

“First responders and our health care services have been working tirelessly to protect the public throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” Carli said. “A great way for people to show their support is to avoid consumer use of fireworks and help minimize the number of avoidable incidents that require response and care.”

Fireworks started an estimated 19,500 fires in 2018, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires and 17,100 outside and other fires. These fires caused five deaths, 46 civilian injuries and $105 million in direct property damage.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,100 nonoccupational fireworks related injuries; burns accounted for 44% of the fireworks injuries seen in the month around July 4.

Half of the fireworks injuries seen at emergency rooms around July 4, 2018, were to extremities, particularly the hand or finger or leg. One-third were to the eye or other parts of the head. Children ages 10-14 had the highest rate of fireworks injury, with 36% of the victims of fireworks injuries in this period under the age of 15.

“Fireworks cause thousands of needless fires and injuries each year,” Carli said. “By simply choosing not to use consumer fireworks, these types of incidents can be easily prevented, lessening the strain on already overtaxed first responders and emergency room workers.”

For more information, visit http://www.nfpa.org.

Submitted by National Fire Protection Association.