• Winter/holiday safety
• Christmas tree fires
• Halloween safety
• Fireworks
• Fireworks safety tips
• Reports and statistics
• People affected by consumer fireworks
• Fireworks laws
• 2010 news conference
• Legal or not, fireworks are too risky for amateurs
• Fireworks videos
• Project Holiday

Fireworks

Leave fireworks to the professionals. Do not use consumer fireworks.   The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by trained professionals.   After the fireworks display, children should never pick up fireworks that may be left over; they may still be active.   See all safety tips AUDIO Lorraine Carli, NFPA Vice President of Communication:    NFPA’s stand on consumer fireworks James Shannon, NFPA President:  Findings from NFPA's fireworks report Stephen Coan, Massachusetts State Fire Marshal:  Statistics of fireworks incidents over the past decade Dr. Amy Rezak, Trauma, Burn and Critical Care Surgeon at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, MA:   Parents underestimate the dangers of fireworks 2008 fireworks injuries by type of fireworks (See larger image) 2008 fireworks injuries by type of injury (See larger image) How hot does a sparkler burn?  (See larger image)

Each July Fourth, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death. The Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks is a group of health and safety organizations, coordinated by NFPA, that urges the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.

NEW! A report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says that there are about 200 fireworks injuries a day during the month surrounding the Fourth of July holiday.

A dramatic demonstration of the dangers of consumer fireworks, hosted by the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks (coordinated by the National Fire Protection Association) and the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal's office. This video shows the damage that fireworks could cause a person standing too close to fireworks.

More videos on the dangers of consumer fireworks.

Facts & figures

• In 2008, fireworks caused an estimated 22,500 reported fires, including 1,400 total structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 20,600 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated one civilian death, 40 civilian injuries and $42 million in direct property damage.
• In 2008, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 7,000 people for fireworks related injuries; 53% of 2008 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 37% were to the head.
• The risk of fireworks injury was highest for teens ages 15-19 and children 5-9, both with at least two-and-a-half times the risk for the general population.
• On Independence Day in a typical year, far more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for more than half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

Source: NFPA’s Fireworks report, by John R. Hall, Jr., June 2010

Also see: Fact sheet on fireworks. (PDF, 211 KB)

In this Section:

Fireworks safety tips Download free safety tips on fireworks. 2010 news conference Slideshow of images from NFPA's consumer fireworks demonstration

Reports and statistics NFPA reports and other research on fireworks Legal or not, fireworks are too risky for amateurs NFPA's view on the harsh realities of amateur fireworks use

People affected by consumer fireworks Two families speak about the dangers of consumer fireworks Fireworks videos Learn more about the dangers of consumer fireworks in these videos.

Fireworks laws Four states ban the use of consumer fireworks. See model fireworks law.