From Illinois to Utah: Firework mishaps claim lives and injure dozens this July 4th (2024)

A man who law enforcement said lit a large firework and placed it on his head died in South Carolina Thursday night, and in Alabama, a pyrotechnician was taken by medical helicopter to a hospital after a shell "unexpectedly detonated" during a slated firework celebration, injuring him and canceling the city's show.

The incidents are among dozens of reportedfireworks-related injuries and fatalitiesreported across the nation during this year's Fourth of July festivities.

Here's roundup of major pyrotechnics-related injuries reported across the nation as of early Friday:

Fireworks-related deaths

  • In Illinois, a 34-year-old man died after handling fireworks on Chicago's Northwest Side about 10 p.m. Thursday. The Chicago Police Department told USA TODAY officers responded to the scene and found the victim who suffered trauma to the body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
  • Also in Illinois, a 25-year-old man died in a fireworks mishap early Friday morning in LaSalle, the Journal Star, part of the USA TODAY Network reported. TheLaSalle County Sheriff's Office reported the incident involved illegal fireworks and the injured man was taken to a hospital where he later died.
  • In South Carolina, a 41-year-old man died after suffering injuries while using fireworks, according to Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office incident report obtained by USA TODAY. Witnesses, deputies wrote in the report, said the man ignited a large firework device, set it on his head and it exploded, killing him. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
  • In Alabama, Huntsville Emergency Medical Emergency Services Inc. spokesperson Don Webster told USA TODAY a man was injured just after midnight Friday after a fireworks accident in Madison County. Webster said the 20-year-old man from Harvest, who suffered trauma to the upper torso, was taken to Huntsville Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Pyro tech taken by helicopter for burns:Alabama fireworks tech hospitalized after shell unexpectedly explodes; city show canceled

Firework-related injuries 2024

  • In Alabama, the city of Jacksonville canceled its fireworks show after a shell unexpectedly detonated and injured a technician Thursday night, sending him to a hospital by helicopter. On Friday, city officials said the technician had been released and was expected to recover.
  • In Colorado, a man lost most of his hand on Wednesday night when a firework he held blew up in his hand, the Colorado Springs Fire Department said in a report on its Facebook page. The incident happened in the Cheyenne Mountain area, southwest of Colorado Springs, the CSFD said.
  • In Oklahoma, a 10-year-old boy from the Oklahoma City area was taken to a hospital to be treated for burns from a fireworks explosion, KFOR-TV reported. A man told the outlet his grandson bought four fireworks products and two malfunctioned, one of which injured the boy.
  • In Utah, several people suffered injuries during an annual fireworks celebration at Brigham Young University's LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo when fireworks shot into the stadium crowd. The event included a performance by the Jonas Brothers. The number of those injured and extent of the injuries were not immediately provided by officials.
  • Several people including some children were injured watching fireworks at a private gathering in Rexburg, Idaho, EastIdahoNews.com reported. "Several individuals were taken to Madison Memorial Hospital and two juveniles were taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls,” Assistant Police Chief Gary Hagen told the news outlet. None of the injuries were life-threatening; police are still investigating the cause.
From Illinois to Utah: Firework mishaps claim lives and injure dozens this July 4th (2)

Last year's injury report

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year 9,700 people were treated in emergency rooms across the nation and eight people died from fireworks-related accidents.

Here's a breakdown of last year's injuries:

  • 19% suffered eye injuries.
  • 22% suffered injuries to the face, head and ears.
  • 35% suffered hand injuries.
  • 11% suffered injuries to lower extremities.

Fireworks safety tips

To safely use fireworks, theNational SafetyCouncilrecommends watching them at public displays conducted by professionals and not using them at home.

If you must set off fireworks at home, the council recommends these tips:

  • Do not use illegal fireworks.
  • Never allow children to handle fireworks.
  • Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
  • Wear eye protection.
  • Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands.
  • Never light fireworks indoors.
  • Use fireworks only away from people, houses and flammable material.
  • Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
  • Light only one device at a time and maintain a safe distance.
  • Never ignite devices in a container.
  • Never relight or handle a malfunctioning firework.
  • Soak spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before tossing them out.
  • Keep water nearby to extinguish fireworks if a fire breaks out.
  • Instead of sparklers, consider usingsafer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers and colored streamers.

This is a developing story.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

From Illinois to Utah: Firework mishaps claim lives and injure dozens this July 4th (2024)

FAQs

What causes most of the injuries caused by fireworks? ›

The temperature of the sparkler can cause a third-degree burn very rapidly. This is especially problematic if the injury is to the eye as this can cause permanent visual loss. The second most common injury is blast injuries causing severe burns or amputations.

How many fires are caused by fireworks each year? ›

Fireworks fire & injury facts

Fireworks started an estimated 31,302 fires in 2022, including 3,504 structure fires, 887 vehicle fires, 26,492 outside fires, and 418 unclassified fires. These fires caused an estimated six civilian deaths, 44 civilian injuries and $109M in direct property damage.

What happens when a firework hits you? ›

Though beautiful, fireworks are dangerous objects that can cause injuries resulting in everything from a small shock to blindness or an amputation. However, depending on the severity of the injury, there are some actions you can take to help the victim.

What are the dangers of fireworks? ›

What Are the Dangers of Fireworks? If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burns, eye injuries, and hearing damage in kids and adults.

How many injuries happen on the 4th of July? ›

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year 9,700 people were treated in emergency rooms across the nation and eight people died from fireworks-related accidents. Here's a breakdown of last year's injuries: 19% suffered eye injuries. 22% suffered injuries to the face, head and ears.

How many people are injured by fireworks in the US? ›

Roughly 9,700 people were injured by fireworks in the U.S. in 2023, according to the report. This represents a third straight year of declines in injury numbers after a record 15,600 injuries in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Which state does the most fireworks? ›

The state that uses the most fireworks is Missouri, where there are $6.94 worth of imports per capita and 43.28 million imports total, which leaves enough for each Missourian to set off roughly seven fireworks. Delaware spends the least, as one of the four states where consumer fireworks are banned.

What are the safest fireworks? ›

Some of the best kid-friendly fireworks include party poppers, snaps, sparklers, smoke bombs, cone fountains, and ground spinners. As they get older, more options like firecrackers and roman candles can be considered.

Why are fireworks illegal in California? ›

Fireworks are illegal in certain areas of California, because each year serious injuries and millions of dollars in property damage occur from wildfires sparked by fireworks. Large grass crops and dry vegetation increase the threat for devastating fires throughout all of California.

Can you shoot a firework in your hand? ›

Never hold fireworks in your hands. Never light them indoors. Never throw or point fireworks at another person. Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.

Should you see a doctor if hit with a firework? ›

Jensen said you should monitor smaller burns. "If we start to see that blistering skin or skin that starts to be sluffing off or coming off those are going to be signs that that burn is much deeper,” he said. Jensen said that may be a sign you need to see your doctor.

What happens if you swallow a firework? ›

Several of the compounds in fireworks can be highly toxic if swallowed, causing symptoms ranging from stomach upset to more severe consequences like electrolyte disturbances (such as low potassium from barium salts) and other dangerous multi-organ effects that require immediate medical attention.

Are fireworks bad for lungs? ›

Fireworks are made using a mix of chemicals. When they are set off, they release harmful pollutants that can damage your lungs, including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. Breathing in smoke and chemicals like this can irritate your airways.

Do fireworks pollute water? ›

After fireworks explode, they can release some polluting chemicals and materials in to the waters below including, but not limited to aluminum, antinomy, barium, carbon, calcium, chlorine, cesium, copper, iron, potassium, lithium, magnesium, oxidizers including nitrates, chlorates and perchlorates, phosphorus, sodium ...

Are fireworks bad for your heart? ›

“There's lots of different metals they use for the colors that you shouldn't be breathing,” he says. Researchers have long known that fine particles are linked to short- and long-term health concerns like respiratory and heart disease, low birth weight, neurological diseases, and even early death.

What are the most injured body parts by fireworks? ›

The parts of the body most often injured by fireworks were hands and fingers (an estimated 35 percent of injuries) along with head, face, and ears (an estimated 22 percent). About 42 percent of the emergency department-treated fireworks-related injuries were for burns.

Which kind of injury occurs most often in fireworks accidents? ›

Serious Burns, Broken Bones, and Other Major Injuries Caused by Fireworks. The most common injury from fireworks is a burn to the hands, fingers, or legs. According to the CPSC, burns accounted for 32% of severe injuries in the month surrounding July Fourth last year.

What problems do fireworks cause? ›

Short-term exposures can aggravate lung disease, causing asthma and acute bronchitis, and increasing the susceptibility to respiratory infections. In people with heart disease, short-term exposures to the smoke from fireworks have been linked to heart attacks and arrhythmias.

What is the damage of fireworks? ›

Fireworks can also pollute public water supply systems, leaving the water full of the same harmful chemicals that are fluttering through the air. When rivers, lakes, and oceans absorb a large amount of heavy metals and toxins from fireworks, the pollution can harm aquatic life and disrupt the balance of ecosystems.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6555

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.