People affected by consumer fireworks

Michael Shannon
Three-year-old Michael Shannon of Raleigh, NC, was killed by a consumer firework at a family July 4th celebration in 1991. Michael was killed when a legal consumer firework tipped over and struck him in the head while he stood between his father’s legs more than 40 feet away. After Michael’s death, the particular firework device involved was taken off the market, but similar devices remain available. "There is no safe way to use consumer fireworks," says Michael's mother.

Watch a video about Michael Shannon.

Listen to audio from the Shannon family from a 2007 NFPA news conference on consumer fireworks.
Jack Shannon of North Carolina talks about the fireworks incident that killed his son Michael
Robin Shannon reads a poem she wrote for the 5th anniversary of Michael's death

Maddi de la Cruz
In 2004, six-year-old Maddi de la Cruz of Chicago was burned by a sparkler that ignited her shoe. In a matter of seconds, the sparkler created second-and third-degree burns on Maddi’s foot. Her mother, Michelle Maloney, said Maddi was injured during a Fourth of July celebration attended by children and eight adults. The young girl underwent skin graft surgery to help her regain her ability to walk.