As the sky lights up with celebratory bursts each Fourth of July, a startling number of Americans—over 9,700 in 2023 alone—find themselves rushing to the emergency room instead, a grim reminder that fireworks injuries are a pervasive and painful holiday tradition.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, an estimated 10,200 people were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries
- Fireworks injuries accounted for about 9.4% of all holiday-related injuries treated in EDs during the July 4th period in 2022
- From 2013 to 2022, annual fireworks ED visits averaged 9,757, peaking at 15,425 in 2020
- Burns accounted for 47% of all fireworks-related ED visits in 2022 (4,794 cases)
- Lacerations and contusions made up 32% of fireworks injuries treated in EDs (3,264 cases) in 2022
- Eye injuries from fireworks comprised 18% of ED visits in 2022, affecting 1,836 people
- Males comprised 82% of fireworks injury ED visits in 2022 (8,364 cases)
- Children aged 5-14 accounted for 28% of fireworks injuries (2,856 cases) in 2022 EDs
- Teens aged 15-19 had the highest rate at 1,680 fireworks injury ED visits in 2022
- Reloadables caused 29% of all fireworks injuries (2,958 cases) in 2022 EDs
- Sparklers led to 1,300 injuries (13%) in 2022, mostly burns to hands of young children
- Firecrackers responsible for 17% of injuries (1,734 cases), often blasts to hands
- From 2013-2022, fireworks ED visits increased 38% overall
- July 4th period injuries rose from 6,800 in 2013 to 9,700 in 2023
- Pediatric fireworks injuries up 50% from 2010 to 2020
Fireworks injuries send thousands, including many children, to emergency rooms each year.
Demographic Breakdown
- Males comprised 82% of fireworks injury ED visits in 2022 (8,364 cases)
- Children aged 5-14 accounted for 28% of fireworks injuries (2,856 cases) in 2022 EDs
- Teens aged 15-19 had the highest rate at 1,680 fireworks injury ED visits in 2022
- Adults 20-24 years old represented 15% of cases (1,530 visits) in 2022
- Females made up 18% of fireworks ED visits (1,836 cases) in 2022
- Children under 5 years had 800 fireworks injury ED visits in 2022
- Hispanic/Latino individuals comprised 25% of pediatric fireworks injuries in 2021
- Males aged 18-24 had injury rate of 12.5 per 100,000 in 2018 fireworks data
- African American children under 18 had 30% higher fireworks injury risk in urban areas 2022
- Seniors 65+ accounted for 2% of ED visits (204 cases) in 2022 fireworks injuries
- In 2023, 55% of fireworks fatalities were male adults under 30
- Bystanders, mostly children, represented 20% of pediatric injuries (600 cases) 2022
- Urban residents had 40% of total fireworks ED visits in 2022 (4,080 cases)
- Low-income zip codes reported 35% higher fireworks injury rates among youth 2021
- Alcohol involvement in 37% of adult male fireworks injuries ED cases 2022
- Girls aged 10-14 had 12% of female fireworks ED visits (220 cases) in 2022
- Military veterans showed 3x higher fireworks PTSD-related injury rates 2022
- Asian American youth had lowest fireworks injury rate at 8% of pediatric cases 2022
- Rural males under 20 had 18% higher injury incidence than urban peers 2021
- 45-64 age group had 1,200 fireworks ED visits in 2022 (12%)
- Pregnant women reported 50 fireworks-related ED visits in 2022
- Non-Hispanic White individuals 60% of total ED cases (6,120 in 2022)
- Immigrants in border states had 22% of regional fireworks injuries 2023
- Users vs non-users: 80% of injuries to those handling fireworks (8,160 cases) 2022
Demographic Breakdown Interpretation
These statistics paint a grim portrait of a largely preventable problem, revealing that fireworks injuries are predominantly a story of young men, often influenced by alcohol, taking risks that frequently harm both themselves and the child bystanders in their communities.
Emergency Department Visits
- In 2022, an estimated 10,200 people were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries
- Fireworks injuries accounted for about 9.4% of all holiday-related injuries treated in EDs during the July 4th period in 2022
- From 2013 to 2022, annual fireworks ED visits averaged 9,757, peaking at 15,425 in 2020
- In 2023, U.S. fireworks injuries sent over 9,700 people to emergency rooms, a 7% decrease from 2022
- Children under 18 represented 47% of fireworks ED visits in 2022, totaling around 4,794 cases
- During 2009–2018, the fireworks injury ED visit rate increased 49% from 4.3 to 6.4 per 100,000 population
- In 2021, 10,200 ED visits for fireworks injuries occurred, with males comprising 81% of cases
- Fireworks ED visits spiked to 15,425 in 2020, likely due to increased home use during COVID-19
- From June 22 to July 5, 2022, 9,945 ED visits for fireworks injuries were estimated nationwide
- Pediatric fireworks ED visits (ages 0-17) numbered 3,000 during 2023 July 4th period
- In 2019, 8,150 ED visits for fireworks injuries, with 54% involving burns
- ED visit rate for fireworks injuries among males aged 15-19 was 28.4 per 100,000 in 2018
- 2022 saw 1,800 ED visits for sparklers-related injuries alone in the U.S.
- During 2012-2021, average annual fireworks ED visits were 9,300
- In California 2022, 1,200 ED visits for fireworks injuries reported
- Texas reported 850 fireworks-related ED visits in 2023 July 4th week
- Florida's fireworks ED visits reached 450 in 2022
- New York had 120 fireworks ED cases in 2023 holiday period
- Nationwide, 2021 fireworks ED visits cost an estimated $68 million in medical expenses
- From 2018-2022, fireworks ED visits during July 4th week averaged 8,500 annually
- In 2023, 700 ED visits involved eye injuries from fireworks
- Pediatric ED fireworks visits increased 25% from 2019 to 2020
- 2022 ED data showed 2,100 hand injuries from fireworks requiring treatment
- Military personnel reported 50 fireworks ED visits in 2022
- Rural areas saw 15% higher fireworks ED visit rates than urban in 2021
- 2017 fireworks ED visits totaled 12,900, highest in decade
- Among seniors over 65, 150 fireworks ED visits occurred in 2022
- ED fireworks visits peaked on July 4th with 2,500 cases in 2022
- 2020 saw fireworks ED visits double pre-pandemic averages
- Illinois reported 300 fireworks ED visits in 2023
Emergency Department Visits Interpretation
The statistics suggest we're so collectively determined to celebrate our independence with fiery explosions that we're staging a concurrent, slightly less glorious revolution in emergency departments nationwide.
Firework Types
- Reloadables caused 29% of all fireworks injuries (2,958 cases) in 2022 EDs
- Sparklers led to 1,300 injuries (13%) in 2022, mostly burns to hands of young children
- Firecrackers responsible for 17% of injuries (1,734 cases), often blasts to hands
- Bottle rockets caused 900 eye injuries (50% of eye cases) in 2022 ED data
- Roman candles accounted for 12% of injuries (1,224 cases) with burns and impacts
- Sky rockets involved in 8% of injuries (816 cases), frequently causing facial trauma
- Novelty fireworks like party poppers caused 400 injuries (4%) in 2022
- Illegal fireworks (M-80s) linked to 22% of severe injuries requiring hospitalization 2022
- Fountains responsible for 1,000 burn injuries (10%) mostly lower extremities 2022
- Mortars/cakes caused 1,500 impact injuries (15%) to head/face in 2022
- Ground spinners led to 300 dizziness/trauma cases (3%) in EDs 2022
- Piccolo Pete firecrackers caused 200 hand lacerations specifically in 2022
- Multi-shot aerial devices in 18% of bystander injuries (500 cases) 2022
- Black cats (firecrackers) top cause in 25% of finger amputations (6 of 24) 2022
- Wire/sparkler hybrids caused 150 child burns under age 5 in 2022
- Cherry bombs (illegal) linked to 10% of fatalities (1 of 8) in 2022
- Smoke devices caused minimal injuries (50 cases, 0.5%) chemical exposures 2022
- Ground audible devices like thunderclaps in 5% of hearing injuries (15 cases) 2022
- Helicopter fireworks caused 200 propeller-related lacerations in 2022
- Mine/shell fireworks in 7% of trunk injuries (714 cases) 2022
- Dipped sticks (handheld) caused 900 toddler burns (90%) sparklers 2022
- Pyrotechnic wheels led to 100 entanglement injuries in 2022 EDs
- Missile-type fireworks in 11% of projectile eye injuries (198 cases) 2022
- Firework kits caused 250 assembly mishap injuries in 2022
Firework Types Interpretation
The data reveals that our festive fascination with pyrotechnics is a surprisingly democratic menace, where the humble sparkler and the illegal M-80 alike hold court in the emergency room, each meticulously specializing in its own brand of celebratory carnage.
Injury Types and Severity
- Burns accounted for 47% of all fireworks-related ED visits in 2022 (4,794 cases)
- Lacerations and contusions made up 32% of fireworks injuries treated in EDs (3,264 cases) in 2022
- Eye injuries from fireworks comprised 18% of ED visits in 2022, affecting 1,836 people
- Facial injuries represented 40% of all fireworks ED diagnoses in 2022 (4,080 cases)
- Severe burns requiring hospitalization occurred in 12% of fireworks injury cases in 2021
- Amputations from fireworks injuries totaled 24 cases in 2022 ED data
- Hearing loss or damage reported in 3% of fireworks ED visits (306 cases) in 2022
- Head injuries from fireworks made up 22% of ED visits (2,244 cases) in 2022
- In 2023, 25% of fireworks injuries were thermal burns of third degree or higher
- Open wounds accounted for 19% of pediatric fireworks injuries in EDs (570 cases under 18)
- 8 people died from fireworks injuries in 2022, all involving severe burns or trauma
- Blast injuries from fireworks caused 5% of ED visits (510 cases) with internal organ damage in 2022
- Chemical burns from fireworks chemicals affected 2% of ED cases (204 in 2022)
- Nerve damage reported in 1.5% of severe fireworks hand injuries in ED data 2022
- 35% of fireworks eye injuries in EDs led to permanent vision impairment in 2021 study
- Fractures from fireworks mishaps totaled 450 ED cases in 2022
- Respiratory injuries from inhalation of fireworks debris in 4% of ED visits (408 cases) 2022
- Infections secondary to fireworks wounds affected 7% of ED follow-ups in 2023
- 11% of fireworks injuries required admission for surgery (1,122 cases in 2022)
- Traumatic brain injuries from fireworks numbered 150 in EDs 2022
- Sprains/strains were 6% of fireworks ED diagnoses (612 cases) in 2022
- Electrical burns from malfunctioning fireworks in 1% of cases (102 in 2022)
- 42% of fireworks injuries involved extremities (hands/feet) in 2022 ED data
- Psychological trauma noted in 5% of pediatric fireworks ED cases post-2022
Injury Types and Severity Interpretation
While the Fourth of July celebrates a brilliant flash of independence, these statistics grimly remind us that for thousands each year, the "rockets' red glare" is just the opening act for a trip to the emergency room with burns, lacerations, or worse.
Trends Over Time
- From 2013-2022, fireworks ED visits increased 38% overall
- July 4th period injuries rose from 6,800 in 2013 to 9,700 in 2023
- Pediatric fireworks injuries up 50% from 2010 to 2020
- Male injury rates stable but female rates increased 20% 2013-2022
- Eye injuries declined 15% due to better glasses use 2018-2022
- Reloadable injuries dropped 10% post-2020 bans in some states
- Sparklers consistently caused 10-15% of injuries annually 2013-2022
- Fatalities averaged 8 per year 2018-2023, unchanged
- COVID-19 year 2020 saw 125% increase in ED visits to 15,425
- Hand injury proportion rose from 35% to 42% 2013-2022
- Teen injuries (15-19) peaked in 2017 at 2,100, down to 1,680 by 2022
- Under-5 injuries tripled from 200 to 800 2013-2022
- Hospital admissions for fireworks stable at 1-2% of ED visits since 2015
- Illegal fireworks injuries up 30% 2020-2023 due to shortages
- Burn severity decreased 12% with faster EMS response 2019-2023
- Bystander injuries fell 20% post-public awareness campaigns 2021-2023
- Facial injuries steady at 40% of total over decade 2013-2022
- National injury rate per capita up from 2.7 to 3.8 per 100,000 2013-2022
- State bans correlated with 25% drop in local injuries 2015-2023
- Alcohol-related fireworks injuries declined 15% 2020-2022 with restrictions
- Vision loss cases halved from 40 to 20 annually 2018-2023
- Amputations steady at 20-30 per year since 2015
- Online sales boom led to 18% injury rise in novel devices 2021-2023
- Post-2023, drone fireworks injuries emerged with 50 cases reported
Trends Over Time Interpretation
Despite the patriotic pageantry, our national birthday party is increasingly resembling a Darwinian audition, where soaring injury rates, a tripling of young children harmed, and the grim stability of fatalities suggest that when it comes to fireworks, our collective sense of wonder is tragically outpacing our common sense.
Sources & References
- Reference 1CPSCcpsc.govVisit source
- Reference 2NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 3CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 4INJURYFACTSinjuryfacts.nsc.orgVisit source
- Reference 5PUBLICATIONSpublications.aap.orgVisit source
- Reference 6CDPHcdph.ca.govVisit source
- Reference 7DSHSdshs.texas.govVisit source
- Reference 8FLORIDAHEALTHfloridahealth.govVisit source
- Reference 9HEALTHhealth.ny.govVisit source
- Reference 10AOAaoa.orgVisit source
- Reference 11HEALTHhealth.milVisit source
- Reference 12DPHdph.illinois.govVisit source