Are fireworks a big safety problem?
All fireworks are dangerous; every type of legally available firework has caused serious injury or death. In 2003, there were about 9,300 injuries caused by fireworks requiring treatment in an emergency room; this was up from 8,800 in 2002. Two thirds of these injuries occur in the days around July 4th, and 15% of the victims are innocent bystanders. Each year there are more than 20,000 fires caused by fireworks causing injuries and property damage. Even sparklers, which are considered safe by many, can be very dangerous; they reach temperatures of more than 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. About 2/3 of injuries due to sparklers are to children less than 5 years old.
