Firework Safety and Community Events

The 4th of July, Independence Day, brings families to barbecues, community events, and an evening of fireworks. However, be aware that many cities and counties have banned fireworks due to their danger.

Remember fireworks are explosives! Every year innocent children sustain 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burns, loss of hearing, and blindness from what begins as a holiday celebration. On this 4th of July - visit a professional fireworks show near you. Remember to keep your pet safe while you celebrate - most pets become scared, run away, and get lost more than any other time of the year!

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Why leave "fireworks" to professionals?

• Most firework-related injuries happen to preteens and teens
  • Children aged 10-14 are 3-times more likely to be injured than the general population
  • Children ages 5-9 and teens ages 15-19 have more than double the average rates of firework related injuries
    
• 31% of injuries are to hands and fingers are from firecrackers
• 21% of injuries to eyes, hands and fingers are from skyrockets
• A special note about sparklers: Sparklers burn between 1200 to 2000 degrees at the end of the stick. Almost 50% of all sparkler-related injuries are among toddlers aged 0-4. Most are due to burns and from other children holding the stick improperly and catching clothing on fire. Significant burns are to hands and fingers, legs and eyes.

Community Fireworks Events

Attend a “free” community firework display in your community. Many are at parks, schools, stadiums, lakes, rivers and beaches. Many of these also include music, parades, picnics, and food that happen all day with fireworks at night.

For a firework show and celebration in your community call your local chamber of commerce or fire department. You can also select below for events near you.

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