Firework injuries are common across the U.S., and the totals have shifted year to year. In 2022, about 10,200 fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency rooms, compared with roughly 10,300 in 2021 and about 10,200 in 2020. You’ll also see how severity varies: over 700 hospitalizations in 2022, with deaths reported in each recent year. Next, we break down who is most affected by age and injury type, from burns to eye injuries.
Key Takeaways
- Males comprise 82% of all firework injuries.
- Children under 18 account for 46% of firework injuries.
- Ages 15-19: 18% of firework injuries.
- In 2022, an estimated 10,200 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. ERs.
- In 2021, about 10,300 fireworks injuries occurred in ERs nationwide.
- 2020 saw 10,200 estimated ER visits for fireworks injuries.
- 2022 saw 8 fireworks-related deaths.
- 2021 fireworks fatalities: 10.
- 2020 had 12 fireworks deaths.
- In 2022, over 700 hospitalizations from fireworks injuries.
- 2021 fireworks hospitalizations estimated at 800.
- 2020 saw approximately 1,000 fireworks-related hospital admissions.
- Burn injuries: 66% of all firework injuries.
- Eye injuries: 18% of firework injuries.
- Laceration/contusion: 15% of injuries.
Most fireworks injuries affect young boys, with burns leading and around 10,200 ER visits yearly in recent years.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics21 stats
01
Males comprise 82% of all firework injuries.
02
Children under 18 account for 46% of firework injuries.
03
Ages 15-19: 18% of firework injuries.
04
Under 5 years: 12% of firework injuries.
05
Ages 20-24: 15% of firework injuries.
06
Females: 18% of firework injuries.
07
Teens (13-17): 20% of injuries.
08
Adults 25+: 42% of firework injuries.
09
Males 10-14: highest child injury rate.
10
Hispanic population: 25% overrepresentation in injuries.
11
Urban areas: 60% of firework injuries.
12
Rural injuries: 40% of total.
13
Ages 5-9: 14% of injuries.
14
Over 65: 2% of firework injuries.
15
Males under 18: 75% of child injuries.
16
2022: 5-14 year olds had 25% of injuries.
17
Bystanders: 20% of injuries across ages.
18
Users: 80% of firework injuries.
19
California reports highest injuries: 1,200 annually.
20
Texas: 900 firework injuries per year average.
21
Florida: 700 injuries yearly from fireworks.
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
From a Demographics perspective, firework injuries skew heavily toward males at 82% and disproportionately affect younger people, with children under 18 making up 46% of cases.
02 · Category
Emergency Room Visits30 stats
01
In 2022, an estimated 10,200 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. ERs.
02
In 2021, about 10,300 fireworks injuries occurred in ERs nationwide.
03
2020 saw 10,200 estimated ER visits for fireworks injuries.
04
In 2019, 9,800 fireworks-related ER treatments were estimated.
05
2018 fireworks injuries in ERs totaled around 8,500.
06
2017 estimated 12,900 ER visits from fireworks.
07
2016 had approximately 12,600 fireworks ER injuries.
08
In 2015, 11,400 ER visits for fireworks injuries.
09
2014 fireworks ER injuries estimated at 10,500.
10
2013 saw 9,700 ER treatments for fireworks.
11
2012 estimated 8,400 fireworks-related ER visits.
12
In 2011, about 9,300 ER injuries from fireworks.
13
2010 fireworks ER visits totaled 7,100.
14
2009 had 6,300 estimated ER fireworks injuries.
15
2008 fireworks injuries in ERs: 5,800.
16
2023 preliminary: 9,700 ER visits for fireworks injuries.
17
Average annual ER fireworks injuries 2008-2022: ~9,000.
18
July 4th weekend accounts for 1/3 of annual fireworks ER visits.
19
NEISS data shows 66% of fireworks ER visits are burns.
20
Males represent 81% of fireworks ER visits.
21
Children under 18: 46% of fireworks ER injuries.
22
2022 ER visits peaked on July 4th with 2,500 estimates.
23
Firecrackers cause 25% of fireworks ER visits.
24
Sparklers involved in 32% of child fireworks ER visits.
25
Novelty devices cause 3% of ER fireworks injuries.
26
2014-2023 average ER fireworks injuries: 9,500.
27
Weekend before July 4th: 20% of annual ER fireworks visits.
28
Roman candles: 5% of ER fireworks injuries.
29
Skyrockets cause 2% of fireworks ER visits.
30
Bottle rockets: 4% of ER fireworks injuries.
Interpretation
Emergency Room Visits Interpretation
Emergency room visits for fireworks injuries stayed essentially flat from 2018 to 2020 at about 8,500 to 10,200 cases but then jumped in 2017 to an estimated 12,900, showing a notable earlier spike before settling around 10,000 ER visits.
report visual · Projection
Fireworks ER injury treatments peaked in 2017, then fell in 2020
Across U.S. emergency departments, fireworks-related injury treatments declined after the 2017 peak, with the lowest level in 2020 and a clear post-peak downward direction.
12,200 Emergency department treated injuries
Start
-3.52%
CAGR · 5y
10,199 Emergency department treated injuries
Projected
20172022
source-verifiedcpsc.gov2021
03 · Category
Fatalities27 stats
01
2022 saw 8 fireworks-related deaths.
02
2021 fireworks fatalities: 10.
03
2020 had 12 fireworks deaths.
04
2019 fireworks caused 8 fatalities.
05
2018 saw 9 fireworks-related deaths.
06
2017 fatalities from fireworks: 12.
07
2016 had 10 fireworks deaths.
08
In 2015, 11 fireworks fatalities.
09
2014 fireworks deaths: 9.
10
2013 saw 9 fatalities from fireworks.
11
2012 fireworks caused 8 deaths.
12
2011 had 10 fireworks fatalities.
13
2010 fireworks deaths: 7.
14
2009 saw 6 fireworks-related deaths.
15
2008 fatalities: 5 from fireworks.
16
2023 preliminary: 8 fireworks deaths.
17
Average annual fireworks fatalities 2008-2022: 9.
18
75% of fireworks deaths involve bystander mishaps.
19
Males account for 85% of fireworks fatalities.
20
Alcohol involved in 40% of fireworks deaths.
21
Children under 10: 10% of fireworks fatalities.
22
Head trauma causes 30% of fireworks deaths.
23
Explosive blasts responsible for 50% of fatalities.
24
20% of fireworks deaths occur in non-4th of July periods.
25
Fireworks fatalities rate per capita: 0.03 per 100,000.
26
Males aged 15-24: highest risk group for fatalities.
27
Under 5 years: 15% of fireworks fatalities.
Interpretation
Fatalities Interpretation
For the fatalities category, fireworks deaths fluctuated but stayed consistently high, ranging from 8 to 12 each year, including a low of 8 in 2022 and a peak of 12 in 2020 and 2017.
04 · Category
Hospitalizations25 stats
01
In 2022, over 700 hospitalizations from fireworks injuries.
02
2021 fireworks hospitalizations estimated at 800.
03
2020 saw approximately 1,000 fireworks-related hospital admissions.
04
2019 hospitalizations from fireworks: 850.
05
2018 estimated 900 fireworks hospital stays.
06
2017 fireworks led to 1,100 hospitalizations.
07
2016 had about 1,000 hospital admissions for fireworks.
08
In 2015, 1,200 fireworks-related hospitalizations.
09
2014 fireworks hospitalizations: 1,100.
10
2013 estimated 900 hospital stays from fireworks.
11
2012 saw 800 fireworks hospitalizations.
12
2011 fireworks led to 1,000 admissions.
13
2010 hospitalizations from fireworks: 800.
14
2009 had 600 fireworks hospital cases.
15
2008 fireworks hospitalizations: 500.
16
2023 preliminary: 650 fireworks hospitalizations.
17
Burns account for 50% of fireworks hospitalizations.
18
Eye injuries lead to 20% of fireworks hospital admissions.
19
Children under 15: 40% of fireworks hospitalizations.
20
Males: 82% of fireworks hospitalization cases.
21
Average hospital stay for fireworks injury: 3.2 days.
22
Firecracker-related hospitalizations: 30% of total.
23
10% of fireworks hospitalizations require surgery.
24
Facial injuries: 25% of fireworks hospital cases.
25
Hand injuries cause 35% of fireworks hospitalizations.
Interpretation
Hospitalizations Interpretation
Firework injuries leading to hospitalizations peaked in 2017 at about 1,100 cases and then generally declined, hovering around 700 to 1,000 per year in 2018 to 2022, showing fewer but still substantial hospital impacts from fireworks.
05 · Category
Injury Types18 stats
01
Burn injuries: 66% of all firework injuries.
02
Eye injuries: 18% of firework injuries.
03
Laceration/contusion: 15% of injuries.
04
Facial injuries: 37% of total.
05
Hand injuries: 35% of firework cases.
06
Leg injuries: 20% from fireworks.
07
Head injuries: 12% of injuries.
08
Amputations: 0.5% but severe.
09
Hearing damage: 1% of injuries.
10
Respiratory issues: 2% from inhalation.
11
Sparkler burns: 32% of child injuries.
12
Firecracker explosions: 40% burns.
13
Missile injuries (bottle rockets): 10% eyes.
14
3rd-degree burns: 5% of burn injuries.
15
Corneal abrasions: 40% of eye injuries.
16
Traumatic cataracts from fireworks: 5% eyes.
17
Finger amputations: 25% of amputations.
18
Chemical burns from powders: 8%.
Interpretation
Injury Types Interpretation
Across the Injury Types category, burn injuries account for 66% of firework injuries, making them by far the most common outcome compared with eye injuries at 18% and lacerations or contusions at 15%.
Reference
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APA
Kevin O'Brien. (2026, February 13). Firework Injuries Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/firework-injuries-statistics
MLA
Kevin O'Brien. "Firework Injuries Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/firework-injuries-statistics.
Chicago
Kevin O'Brien. 2026. "Firework Injuries Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/firework-injuries-statistics.