‘It’s Imperative Consumers Know The Risks’: U.S. CPSC Publishes Annual Fireworks Report for 2022

'It's imperative consumers know the risks': U.S. CPSC publishes annual fireworks report for 2022 (KTUL)

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — A new report from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows a significant upward trend in fireworks-related injuries over the past 15 years.

In 2022, at least 11 people died and an estimated 10,200 were injured in incidents involving fireworks.

“It’s imperative that consumers know the risks involved in using fireworks, so injuries and tragedies can be prevented. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch the professional displays,” said CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. In addition, he said, “CPSC’s Office of Compliance and Field Operations continues to work closely with other federal agencies to prevent the sale of illegal consumer fireworks.”

The recent report from the CPSC shows:

• Out of the 11 fireworks-related deaths in the United States in 2022, five of the deaths were associated with firework misuse; three deaths were associated with a device misfire/malfunction; one death was associated with a device tipping over; and two deaths were associated with unknown circumstances. As of right now, the reporting of fireworks-related death in 2022 is not complete, and the number of deaths identified for 2022 should be considered a minimum.
• Fireworks were involved in an estimated 10,200 injuries in United States hospital emergency rooms during the calendar year of 2022.
• There is a statistically significant trend in estimated emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries from 2007 through 2022. This trend estimates an increase of 535 fireworks injuries per year.
• During the period of June 17, 2022 through July 17, 2022, an estimated 7,400 fireworks-related injuries were treated in United States hospital emergency departments.
• Victims 15 to 19 years old had the highest estimated rate of emergency room visits for fireworks-related injuries, and children ages 10 to 14 had the second highest estimated rate.
• Adults ages 25 to 44 experienced about 36% of estimated injuries, and children younger than 15 accounted for 28% of the estimated fireworks-related injuries in 2022.
• Of the 10,200 injuries reported, 1,300 were caused by firecrackers; 400 were caused by rockets; 600 were the result of Roman candles; and 500 were caused by illegal firecrackers.
• The parts of the body most often injured by fireworks were hands and fingers, along with the head, face, and ears, as well as legs and eyes.
• An estimated 38% of emergency department-treated injuries were related to burns. Burns were the most common injury to hands and fingers. Contusions and lacerations accounted for 30% of the emergency room-treated injuries, which were most common to the head, face and ears.

CPSC is urging consumers to practice safe celebrations this Fourth of July with the following safety tips:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks. This includes sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to melt some metals.
• Light fireworks one at a time and then move quickly away from the fireworks device.
• Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Soak them with water and then throw them away.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Make sure you move to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never point or throw fireworks, including sparklers, at any individual.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose on hand in case of fire or other mishap.
• After fireworks are done burning, to prevent a trash fire, douse the used device in water from a bucket or hose before throwing the device away.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer use, not professional use.
• Never use fireworks if/when impaired by alcohol or drugs.

To read the full CPSC report for 2022, click here.

To learn more about firework safety, follow this link.