Fireworks, (Brian Neben, Courtesy)
NEBRASKA — The Fourth of July will be here before you know it and lighting off fireworks on Independence Day is an American tradition.
However, if done improperly, it can lead to injury, property damage and even death. The National Safety Council Nebraska lists some firework safety tips to follow this holiday season.
Consumer fireworks may only be possessed, used or discharged by a person 16 years of age or older; provided, that a person 12 years of age or older and less than 16 years of age may possess, use or discharge consumer fireworks, but only when in the immediate presence of and under the direct supervision of an adult 19 years of age or older, according to NFPA.
A variety of fireworks may be sold across Nebraska; however, there are some restrictions. Fireworks sold at Nebraska stands must be legal in Nebraska. It is against the law to transport illegal fireworks into the state. For a full list of illegal fireworks, visit Nebraska State Fire Marshal site.
The Nebraska State Fire Marshal states permissible fireworks, which include sparklers, foundations, torches, cones, aerial shells, cannot exceed 50 milligrams of explosive composition.
Display fireworks are for public exhibitions and these firecrackers cannot exceed 130 milligrams of explosives and aerial shells cannot exceed more than 40 milligrams.
Injury can result from improper use of fireworks, the NFPA has statistics listed on their website.
An estimated 8,500 fireworks-related injuries (or 74 percent of the total estimated fireworks-related injuries in 2021) occurred during the 1-month special study period between June 18 and July 18 last year.
In 2021, there were an estimated 1,500 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers and 1,100 involving sparklers.
In 2021, the parts of the body most often injured by fireworks were hands and fingers (an estimated 31 percent of injuries) along with head, face, and ears (an estimated 21 percent).
According to the Nebraska State Fire Marshal, the most common body part injured from fireworks is the eyes and hands, lesser so are the legs and face. The most common injuries were second degree burns, followed by first degree burns and abrasions.
The most common reasons for injury are a person holding the device during discharge or they were too close to a discharging firework.
The age groups which were injured the most in Nebraska in 2018 were 11 to 19 year olds, followed by 20-29 year olds. Males were injured at a greater rate than females.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission released an annual report about injuries and deaths related to fireworks in 2022. CPSC staff received reports of 11 non-occupational fireworks-related deaths during 2022.
The CPSC went into detail about the circumstances of some of the deaths.
“In July, an 11-year-old male was fatally injured while shooting off fireworks with a group of adults. The victim was holding a lit mortar-type device above his head. The shell exited the bottom of the mortar and entered the victim’s skull. The mother of the victim was present during the incident and stated that she held her son’s broken skull and brain in her hands.”
“In July, a 43-year-old male was fatally injured when lighting off fireworks during a party. Eyewitnesses of the event indicated that the victim was lighting a mortar-style device when the tube tipped over and shot directly at the victim. A party attendee attempted lifesaving efforts. Emergency responders transported the victim to a local hospital where further lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful.”
“In July, an 18-year-old male was fatally wounded when lighting of a mortar-style fireworks device at a park. One of the victim’s friends had lit a couple of artillery style fireworks while holding the tube in his hand with no incident. Witnesses stated that the victim held the tube in both hands near his face and chest when the mortar exploded in his hands. Following the explosion, the victim made a groaning noise and immediately fell to the ground… The victim and friends were consuming alcohol at the time of the event.”
“In July, and 18-year-old male was fatally wounded after lighting a mortar style firework in a park. Police reported that the victim was struck by the mortar which killed the victim instantly. The medical examiner listed the official cause of death as “Multiple blastrelated injuries to the head and neck, decapitation, avulsion of brain, multiple calvarial and basilar skull fractures, facial fractures, and cervical vertebrae fractures. Fractures of maxilla and mandible, multiple lacerations of the tongue, cutaneous abrasions, contusions, and lacerations.”
According to the CPSC report, fireworks were involved in an estimated 10,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2019, The estimated rate of emergency department-treated injuries is 2.8 per 100,000 individuals in the United States.
There were an estimated 500 emergency department-treated injuries associated with sparklers and 200 with bottle rockets.
There were an estimated 1,000 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers. Of these, an estimated 33 percent were associated with small firecrackers, an estimated 13 percent with illegal firecrackers, and an estimated 54 percent with firecrackers for which there was no specific information.
Approximately 81 percent of the victims were treated at the hospital emergency department and then released. An estimated 17 percent of patients were treated and transferred to another hospital, or admitted to the hospital.
The CPSC report concluded, “typical causes of injuries were as follows: misuse of fireworks; errant flight paths; tip-overs; early ignitions; and blowout.”
The NFPA lists the following firework safety tips:
- Only use fireworks where they are legal. Only use fireworks that are legal where you are shooting them, and be sure you are shooting on dates that are legal in your city. Don’t import fireworks from another state or city to use locally – they may not be legal where you are. Buy locally to be sure fireworks are both legal and safe.
- Use fireworks outdoors only. This includes sparklers and snakes. All fireworks burn, and can quickly start a house fire. When outdoors, be sure there is enough room to point fireworks away from spectators, houses, buildings and flammable materials.
- Use launching fireworks in open areas only to ensure they don’t land on top of buildings and houses. Especially those with natural (cedar) type shingles.
- Always pre-plan to have water handy, whether that is a bucket or a hose.
- Have a first aid kit ready and waiting.
- Keep young children away from fireworks – even sparklers! Children using fireworks should be at least 12 years old, and always closely supervised. 20 percent of fireworks injuries to children are caused by sparklers.
- Use fireworks the way they were intended. Follow the lighting instructions on the package. Don’t combine them.
- Don’t try to relight duds. Wait at least 20 minutes before handling a dud, then soak it in water before disposing of the dud.
- Use a “designated shooter” who is alcohol free and wearing safety glasses. Light one device at a time, and keep a safe distance once a firework is lit. Don’t light fireworks in containers.
- Don’t allow running or horseplay by anyone near fireworks.
- Don’t use fireworks while consuming alcoholic beverages.
- Always clean up after you are done celebrating.
