Firework injuries aren’t reserved for July

SALT LAKE CITY— Firework injuries aren’t only reserved for the Fourth of July, with thousands happening throughout the year including on New Years Eve.

Last year, 66% of the estimated 9,700 firework-related injuries happened around the Fourth of July. Over 3,000 firework injuries occured during the rest of the year, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Related: Pleasant Grove home “a total loss” after fireworks started a fire

About one-quarter of the people injured around the Fourth of July in 2023 were between the ages of 5 and 14. People between the ages of 15 and 24 accounted for about one-third of those injuries. 

The high percentage of injuries to kids and teenagers is the reason adults should be in charge of fireworks at all times, said Utah Fire Marshal Ted Black. 

“These are not something that children should play with,” he said. “The kids need to be a safe distance away and enjoy the show, but should not be part of lighting the fireworks.”

In 2023,  most firework injuries affected hands and fingers, with 22% involving the head, face, and ears.

While these injuries are common, Murray City Fire Marshal Jeff Puls said it’s possible to keep yourself safe with fireworks.

“Just use common sense,” he said. “Read the warning label, don’t misuse them, don’t aim them at people. Wait for about five minutes if it doesn’t go off. Don’t go over there and take a look down the tube if you’re shooting them.”

Safety tips for fireworks

Utah officials offer these tips for firework safety:

• don’t drink alcohol when lighting fireworks,
• let adults light all fireworks,
• keep kids a safe distance away from all fireworks,
• secure fireworks to make sure they don’t tip over,
• know your area and restricted areas,
• keep fireworks away from shrubbery and your home,
• check for weather conditions and avoid using fireworks in gusty conditions,
• have an extinguisher on hand, such as a bucket of water,
• be mindful of neighbors when shooting fireworks, and
• buy fireworks from local vendors (buying from Wyoming and lighting fireworks in Utah is a crime.)

State Fire Marshal Ted Black says now is not the time to ignore the rules and ruin a holiday for yourself and others.

“There are folks out there that don’t listen to us, and something bad has happened, and then for the rest of their lives, a holiday is remembered as the worst day of their lives. And we don’t want that to happen,” he said.