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The Fourth of July is a time traditionally shared with family picnics and get-togethers. There will be even more to celebrate this year, as friends and family will be able to celebrate the holiday in-person, a big difference from the limited events COVID-19 forced us into last year.
Many of those celebrations will be accompanied by bangs, booms and splashes of color and sparks. And, while we hope everyone will have a good time, we urge that you leave the fireworks to the professionals.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 10,000 fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency rooms and at least 12 deaths across the United States in 2019, with 70 percent of those injuries coming in the 30 days surrounding July 4.
Firecrackers were reported as the No. 1 cause of injuries, and sparklers accounted for more than half of the total estimated injuries for children younger than 5. The majority of those injured were males, and those under the age of 20 and in the 25-44 age group suffered nearly two-thirds of all injuries.
An even more sobering statistic from the CPSC is that around 150 people have died as a result of fireworks-related injuries since 2003.
Remember that even the simplest of fireworks can cause a great deal of damage.
Bottle rockets, for example, have been known to cause house fires. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 19,500 fires are started by fireworks each year.
Even novelty items, such as sparklers, can cause severe injuries -- they burn at more than 1,200 degrees.
This year, enjoy the many fireworks displays that are scheduled to take place around the area, and if you do choose to set off your own presentation in your back yard, make sure you keep safety first.