Maddi de la Cruz

On July 4, 2004, six-year-old Maddi de la Cruz was at an Independence Day party near her hometown of Chicago. During the party, another child threw down a sparkler that fell onto and ignited Maddi’s shoe. In a matter of seconds, the sparkler created second-and third-degree burns on Maddi’s foot. Much of the skin on her foot came off.

Since that day, Maddi has had to undergo a skin graft procedure and therapy to help her walk normally again. While she is doing well physically, the trauma caused by the sparkler continues today. “Now, Maddi does not like to be around fire at all,” said her mom. “Whenever she sees any sort of flame, she thinks back to the damage and fear that sparkler caused."

Maddi is just one of thousands of young people who are hurt each year by consumer fireworks, including sparklers. Most people do not realize that the tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns.

More fireworks information

	Use of consumer fireworks can lead to devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and death. Read NFPA's fact sheet on fireworks.
	All visitors: Download a free copy of NFPA's fireworks report (PDF, 89 KB).
	Review NFPA 1123, Code for Fireworks Display.