Published on July 1 2022 3:28 pm
Last Updated on July 1 2022 3:29 pm
Every year around the Fourth of July it’s estimated 260 million pounds of fireworks are used by Americans, with an additional 285 million pounds used by professionals for community displays, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA).
On average, 180 people go to the emergency room daily with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the Fourth of July holiday, as reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital wants to remind community members fireworks are fun but can be very dangerous.
“The types of injuries we see from fireworks occur mostly to the hands or fingers, legs, face and eyes,” said Deb Murbarger, RN, emergency services director. “We understand that lighting fireworks can be fun, but we suggest they be left to specially trained and certified experts so that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday.”
If you do decide to use fireworks, St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital strongly recommends you follow safety tips from the CPSC.
Ten Fireworks Safety Recommendations
More fireworks safety tips are available on the CPSC website at: cpsc.gov/fireworks.