NFPA Fireworks Safety

Summary Statement

The NFPA has worked with numerous other organizations under the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks to ask the public not to buy fireworks for the Fourth because they are too dangerous. From 2009-2013, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 18,500 fires caused by fireworks. In 2014, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 10,500 people for fireworks related injuries; 51% of those injuries were to the extremities and 38% were to the head. The risk of fireworks injury is highest for young people ages 5-9, followed by children 10-19. Almost half (47%) of the reported fires on the Fourth of July were started by fireworks. Sparklers burn at 1200 F. The NFPA and the Alliance have several videos, a handout and the infographic shown here. Please be safe on the Fourth! Leave fireworks to the professionals.
June 2016