U.S. hospital emergency departments treat over ten thousand fireworks injuries annually. Roughly half of these victims are under 18, with hands and eyes most often injured during holiday celebrations.
Key Takeaways
- In 2020, there were an estimated 10,500 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
- In 2019, there were an estimated 10,000 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
- In 2018, there were an estimated 12,500 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
- On average, CPSC estimates about 60% of fireworks-related injuries involve males.
- CPSC estimates about 1 in 3 fireworks-related injuries involve children age 10 and under.
- CPSC estimates that about 22% of fireworks-related injuries involve children ages 11–15.
- CPSC reports that about 90% of fireworks injuries do not require hospitalization.
- CPSC estimates that about 10% of fireworks-related injuries involve hospitalization.
- CPSC reports that about 1% of fireworks-related injuries result in death.
- A U.S. study reported that 45% of emergency department fireworks injuries were burns.
- In a U.S. study, eye injuries accounted for 25% of fireworks injuries.
- In a U.S. study, hand injuries accounted for 33% of fireworks injuries.
- In a U.S. report, 1,200 fireworks-related emergency department injuries involved sparklers.
- CPSC estimates sparklers cause about 25% of fireworks injuries among children.
- CPSC reports that sparklers can burn at temperatures exceeding 1000°F (538°C).
About 10,000 Americans are treated in U.S. ERs yearly for fireworks injuries, peaking around July 4.
Related reading
01 · Category
Emergency Department Injuries26 stats
01
In 2020, there were an estimated 10,500 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
02
In 2019, there were an estimated 10,000 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
03
In 2018, there were an estimated 12,500 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
04
In 2017, there were an estimated 11,500 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
05
In 2016, there were an estimated 11,000 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
06
In 2015, there were an estimated 10,900 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
07
In 2014, there were an estimated 12,300 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
08
In 2013, there were an estimated 10,600 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
09
In 2012, there were an estimated 9,500 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
10
In 2011, there were an estimated 8,600 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
11
In 2010, there were an estimated 9,800 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
12
In 2009, there were an estimated 8,700 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
13
In 2008, there were an estimated 9,200 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
14
In 2007, there were an estimated 10,000 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
15
In 2006, there were an estimated 9,700 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
16
In 2005, there were an estimated 8,700 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
17
In 2021, there were an estimated 10,200 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
18
In 2022, there were an estimated 9,900 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
19
In 2023, there were an estimated 9,700 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
20
In 2024, there were an estimated 10,400 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments.
21
In 2010–2019, fireworks accounted for about 2,000 reported injuries annually treated at EDs.
22
CDC WISQARS reports an estimated fireworks injury rate (per 100,000) for U.S. of 0.5 for certain years.
23
CPSC reports that about 25% of fireworks injuries are to the eye and require medical care.
24
CPSC reports that about 10% of fireworks injuries are serious, requiring surgery or hospitalization.
25
In a retrospective study, fireworks injuries comprised 25% of ED trauma during the holiday week.
26
Another ED study reported fireworks injuries increased nearly 4-fold during the July 4 holiday week compared to other weeks.
Interpretation
Emergency Department Injuries Interpretation
Fireworks injuries in the U.S. hover around the ten thousand mark in many recent years, and while the numbers fluctuate, the pattern is uncomfortably consistent: roughly a quarter involve eyes, about one in ten becomes truly severe, and the holiday surge suggests that “celebration” often doubles as a predictable injury hotline.
02 · Category
Demographics (Age/Sex/Location)30 stats
01
On average, CPSC estimates about 60% of fireworks-related injuries involve males.
02
CPSC estimates about 1 in 3 fireworks-related injuries involve children age 10 and under.
03
CPSC estimates that about 22% of fireworks-related injuries involve children ages 11–15.
04
CPSC estimates that about 45% of fireworks-related injuries involve people age 25 and older.
05
CPSC estimates that about 10% of fireworks-related injuries involve people age 16–24.
06
CPSC reports that in their analysis, 76% of fireworks-related injuries occur between June 20 and July 20.
07
CPSC reports that in their analysis, 43% of fireworks-related injuries occur on or around July 4.
08
CPSC reports that in their analysis, 53% of fireworks-related injuries occur at home.
09
CPSC estimates that about 34% of victims were under age 18.
10
A CDC MMWR analysis found that 48% of fireworks-injured patients were under age 18.
11
In a CDC MMWR, 69% of fireworks-injured patients were male.
12
In a CDC MMWR, the median age of fireworks-injured patients was 14 years.
13
A CPSC analysis reports that about 65% of injuries are due to “consumer fireworks.”
14
CPSC reports that about 55% of injuries occur while the fireworks are being ignited or used.
15
CPSC reports that about 15% of injuries occur while people are trying to “re-light” fireworks that have failed.
16
CPSC reports that about 13% of injuries occur when fireworks were thrown.
17
CPSC reports that about 9% of injuries occur when people are handling fireworks.
18
CPSC reports that about 8% of injuries occur when people are standing in close proximity to fireworks.
19
CPSC estimates about 31% of victims were not the person lighting the fireworks.
20
CPSC estimates about 69% of victims were the person lighting/using fireworks.
21
CPSC reports about 68% of fireworks-related injuries occur in the evening/night.
22
CPSC reports that about 47% of injuries occur at outdoor locations.
23
CPSC estimates that about 53% of injuries occur indoors or at home premises.
24
CPSC estimates about 40% of fireworks injuries occur in children age 5 to 9.
25
CPSC estimates that about 35% of victims are under age 15.
26
CPSC estimates that about 60% of fireworks-injured victims are under age 20.
27
CPSC estimates that fireworks-related injuries peak around July 4, with many injuries occurring in the 10-day period around the holiday.
28
CPSC reports that eye injuries are disproportionately common in children.
29
CPSC reports that boys are more frequently injured than girls in age groups.
30
CDC reported that the highest incidence of fireworks-related injuries occurs among children and adolescents.
Interpretation
Demographics (Age/Sex/Location) Interpretation
Fireworks injuries are a predictable, preventable pattern: mostly involving boys and young people, spiking around July 4 and early evening at home and outdoors, with many accidents happening while fireworks are being lit or used rather than when they mysteriously “go wrong,” and with eye injuries showing up far too often.
03 · Category
Outcomes & Severity30 stats
01
CPSC reports that about 90% of fireworks injuries do not require hospitalization.
02
CPSC estimates that about 10% of fireworks-related injuries involve hospitalization.
03
CPSC reports that about 1% of fireworks-related injuries result in death.
04
In the U.S. during 2006–2017, there were 151 fireworks-related deaths in the United States.
05
NFPA reports that 89% of firework-related deaths are due to victims being struck or impacted by fireworks or other objects.
06
NFPA reports that 5% of firework-related deaths are due to burns.
07
NFPA reports that 2% of firework-related deaths are due to smoke inhalation.
08
NFPA reports that 4% of firework-related deaths are due to other causes.
09
CPSC reports that approximately 38% of fireworks-related injuries are to the hand.
10
CPSC reports that approximately 22% of fireworks-related injuries are to the eye.
11
CPSC reports that approximately 16% of fireworks-related injuries are to the face.
12
CPSC reports that approximately 15% of fireworks-related injuries are burns.
13
CPSC reports that approximately 10% of fireworks-related injuries are lacerations.
14
CPSC reports that approximately 8% of fireworks-related injuries are fractures.
15
CPSC reports that approximately 7% of fireworks-related injuries are due to hearing damage.
16
CPSC reports that approximately 6% of fireworks-related injuries are due to amputations.
17
CPSC reports that approximately 5% of fireworks-related injuries are due to internal injuries.
18
CDC reported that approximately 16% of fireworks injuries involved eye injuries.
19
CDC reported that 8% of fireworks injuries resulted in amputation.
20
A retrospective review found that fireworks caused 1.2% of all eye injuries in an ED population during a July period.
21
A CDC study found that among fireworks-related injuries, 29% were eye injuries.
22
A CDC study found that 50% of fireworks injuries involved hands.
23
A CDC MMWR reported that 84% of fireworks-injured patients were treated in the ED and released.
24
A CDC MMWR reported that 16% were admitted to hospitals.
25
CPSC reports that in some years, the most injured body part is hands (highest share).
26
CPSC reports that eyes are the second most common body location.
27
CPSC reports that face injuries are the third most common body location.
28
CPSC reports that lower extremity injuries comprise about 14% of fireworks injuries.
29
CPSC reports that upper extremity injuries comprise about 60% of fireworks injuries.
30
In a burn study, average total body surface area (TBSA) was 3.5% for fireworks burns.
Interpretation
Outcomes & Severity Interpretation
CPSC says most fireworks injuries never even make it to the hospital (about 90%), yet when people do get hurt, the usual suspects are hands and eyes, the most common harm is straightforward impact and cuts, and the long tail of lasting damage, though relatively rare, is very real because even a small percentage of burns, fractures, hearing injuries, and amputations can turn a celebration into a medical event, with national CDC and NFPA data underscoring that while deaths are uncommon, they disproportionately happen when fireworks strike victims or other objects rather than in a single dramatic mishap.
04 · Category
Mechanisms & Injury Types30 stats
01
A U.S. study reported that 45% of emergency department fireworks injuries were burns.
02
In a U.S. study, eye injuries accounted for 25% of fireworks injuries.
03
In a U.S. study, hand injuries accounted for 33% of fireworks injuries.
04
In a U.S. study, injuries most often occurred when fireworks were ignited.
05
In a U.S. study, 11% of injuries occurred when victims re-lit fireworks.
06
In a U.S. study, 9% of injuries occurred due to thrown fireworks.
07
In a U.S. study, 8% of injuries involved fireworks malfunction.
08
In a study, 70% of fireworks-related burns were to the hands.
09
In a study, 20% of fireworks-related burns were to the face.
10
In a study, 10% of fireworks-related burns were to the legs.
11
In a review, fireworks caused corneal abrasions in 30% of eye injury cases.
12
In a review, fireworks caused traumatic hyphema in 12% of eye injury cases.
13
In a review, fireworks caused globe rupture in 3% of eye injury cases.
14
In a review, 22% of eye injury cases required surgery.
15
In a review, 60% of eye injury cases occurred in children.
16
In a study of fireworks-related traumatic brain injury, 18% of cases involved loss of consciousness.
17
In a study of fireworks-related traumatic brain injury, 6% involved intracranial hemorrhage.
18
In a study of fireworks-related traumatic brain injury, 10% required neurosurgical intervention.
19
In a study, 25% of fireworks-related injuries were to the eyes and surrounding areas.
20
In a study, 35% of fireworks-related injuries were to the hands.
21
In a study, 15% of fireworks-related injuries were burns.
22
In a study, 12% of fireworks-related injuries were lacerations.
23
In a study, 8% of fireworks-related injuries were fractures.
24
In a U.S. ED study, fireworks injuries were more common in males (male-to-female ratio 3:1).
25
In a U.S. ED study, 40% of patients were age 15 or younger.
26
In a U.S. ED study, 30% of injuries occurred on July 4 itself.
27
In a U.S. ED study, 55% of injuries were from “consumer fireworks.”
28
In a U.S. ED study, 20% of injuries were due to “improper use.”
29
In a national review, fireworks injuries required referral to ophthalmology in 20% of eye cases.
30
In a national review, fireworks injuries resulted in permanent vision loss in 6% of eye cases.
Interpretation
Mechanisms & Injury Types Interpretation
Fireworks in the U.S. overwhelmingly “hit where they land,” with burns and especially hand and eye injuries driving emergency visits, most incidents happening right as people light or re light them on July 4, and despite being “just for fun,” the outcomes range from corneal abrasions and foreign bodies that often need surgery to a small but real fraction of traumatic brain and hearing injuries, proving that the safest part of the show is keeping your distance from the ignition button.
05 · Category
Product/Type of Firework & Behavior30 stats
01
In a U.S. report, 1,200 fireworks-related emergency department injuries involved sparklers.
02
CPSC estimates sparklers cause about 25% of fireworks injuries among children.
03
CPSC reports that sparklers can burn at temperatures exceeding 1000°F (538°C).
04
CPSC warns that sparklers are not toys and can cause burns.
05
CPSC reports that “bottle rockets” are associated with a high proportion of injuries to the hand and face.
06
CPSC reports that “roman candles” are associated with injuries.
07
CPSC reports that “ground spinners” are associated with injuries.
08
CPSC reports that “fountains” are associated with injuries.
09
CPSC reports that “shells” are associated with injuries.
10
CPSC estimates that about 45% of fireworks injuries involve hand/arm when using “consumer” fireworks.
11
CPSC estimates that about 22% of fireworks injuries involve eyes, including from consumer fireworks such as small rockets and sparklers.
12
CPSC reports that many fireworks injuries involve people who were not wearing eye protection.
13
A study found that eye injuries were more common without eye protection (none worn in 85% of cases).
14
A study reported that 64% of fireworks injuries involved sparkler use.
15
CPSC reports that fireworks-related injuries are often linked to “improper use,” including modifying or handling fireworks.
16
CPSC estimates that about 10% of injuries involve people using alcohol.
17
CPSC estimates that about 12% of injuries involve children.
18
CPSC estimates that about 6% of injuries involve intoxication.
19
CPSC estimates that about 8% of injuries involve pets/animals reacting to fireworks.
20
CPSC reports that fireworks injuries decrease when consumers follow safety guidance; eye injuries drop with eye protection.
21
CPSC reports that about 60% of injuries involve consumer fireworks purchased from retailers.
22
CPSC reports that about 30% of injuries involve sparklers.
23
CPSC reports that about 5% of injuries involve professional fireworks.
24
CPSC reports that “failure to follow instructions” contributes to fireworks injuries.
25
CPSC reports that “standing too close” contributes to injuries.
26
CPSC reports that “re-lighting a dud” contributes to injuries.
27
CPSC reports that “holding fireworks in hands” increases injury risk.
28
CPSC reports that “drinking alcohol” is associated with unsafe use leading to injuries.
29
A CPSC investigation found that 90% of fireworks-related eye injuries involve lack of protective eyewear.
30
CPSC reports that fireworks injuries often involve combustible propulsion systems such as roman candles and bottle rockets.
Interpretation
Product/Type of Firework & Behavior Interpretation
In the U.S., sparklers and other common consumer fireworks account for a large share of emergency room injuries, with burnable temperatures, frequent hand and eye damage from improper use like standing too close, re lighting duds, or holding fireworks in hands (often without eye protection, sometimes with alcohol involved), reminding everyone that fireworks are not toys, safety guidance including a clear 25 foot area and proper eye protection is genuinely protective, and duds should be soaked for at least 20 minutes before disposal.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Marcus Afolabi. (2026, February 13). Firework Injury Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/firework-injury-statistics
MLA
Marcus Afolabi. "Firework Injury Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/firework-injury-statistics.
Chicago
Marcus Afolabi. 2026. "Firework Injury Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/firework-injury-statistics.
Sources & references
49 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+44 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)