Fireworks can be dangerous. So, it's not surprising that July 4 causes more fires than any other day of the year.
Fireworks account for nearly half of all reported U.S. fires, more than any other cause of fire, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, with 1,300 being structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires cause an average of $42 million in property damage.
And these fireworks can be fatal.
In 2017, eight deaths and approximately 12,900 firework-related injuries occurred between June 16, 2017, and July 16, 2017, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Most of the injuries reported were due to misuse or malfunction of the fireworks. Seven people died from direct impacts of fireworks and one person died in a house fire caused by misusing a firecracker.
To help prevent firework injuries, the CPSC offers a few safety tips to use when dealing with fireworks:
Do not let children play with fireworks
Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities
Never touch fireworks when lighting the fuse
Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully
Never point fireworks at another person
Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of fire
Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly
Douse the fireworks were water when they're done burning, then properly dispose of them
