• Put a Freeze on Winter Fires
• Christmas tree fires
• Halloween safety
• Fireworks
• Fireworks safety tips
• People affected by consumer fireworks
• Social media messages
• Legal or not, fireworks are too risky for amateurs
• Fireworks videos
• Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks
• Thanksgiving safety
• Project Holiday

Fireworks

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.

• In 2010, fireworks caused an estimated 15,500 reported fires, including 1,100 total structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 14,100 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated eight reported civilian deaths, 60 civilian injuries and $36 million in direct property damage.
• In 2010, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 8,600 people for fireworks related injuries; 57% of 2010 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 37% were to the head.
• The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 5-14, with more than twice 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 two out of five of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

Source: NFPA’s Fireworks report, by John R. Hall, Jr., June 2012

Other resources

• News release: Use of consumer fireworks dramatically increases risk of fire and injury
• Social media messages to help you spread the word about the dangers of consumer fireworks.
• Send a Sparky e-card about fireworks.
• Are you a patriotic all- star? Take our Fourth of July quiz and find out.

VIDEO: The Alliance for Consumer Fireworks and NFPA highlight the dangers of consumer fireworks with a demonstration at the Massachusetts Fire Academy in Stow, MA.

VIDEO: View this public service announcement, featuring Dan Doofus, urging people not to
use consumer fireworks because they are too dangerous.

More videos on the dangers of consumer fireworks.

Updated: 6/12

In this Section:

Fireworks safety tips Download free safety tips 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.

Social media messages Help us spread the message about the dangers of consumer fireworks Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks Working to warn individuals about the dangers of consumer fireworks