How To Use Fireworks Safely. Estimated 14,700 People Injured In 2024
Well, when it comes to fireworks, plenty. In fact, in 2024, there were an estimated 14,700 people injured by fireworks, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This included 11 reported fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 1,700 emergency room visits dur to sparklers. Deaths increased by 38% and injuries' increased by 52% compared to 2023.
Be Careful About Who Handles Fireworks
This isn't the time to say, 'Hey, kids, go and play with those fireworks while us adults have some alone time.' In fact, it's never a good time to say that. You should never allow younger children to play with fireworks and older children' to do so unsupervised. That includes sparklers, which may look more innocent but can get up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, sparklers are what were responsible for 29% of all firework injuries among those under five years of age in 2022, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Instead of sparklers, give kids something else shiny like glow sticks or streamers.
Also, never say, 'Hold my beer, while I show you how to set off fireworks.' Do not mix fireworks with alcohol, drugs or anything else that can impair judgment. Using fireworks requires your full attention. So you shouldn't be texting or scrolling to see what MrBeast is posting on social media while handling fireworks.
Use Only Appropriate Fireworks
Don't use illegal fireworks. Yes, this may sound like saying, 'Don't do anything illegal,' which may seem obvious. But you'd be surprised at how easy it is to obtain illegal fireworks. Check you local ordinances. What may be legal in some jurisdictions may not be in yours.
Also, stick to fireworks explicitly for consumers and not restricted to professionals. Unless you are a professional fireworks person, you don't have the training, qualifications or equipment to handle professional fireworks.
Additionally, make sure that you follow all directions and warnings included with the fireworks. If your fireworks don't have directions or warnings, they may not be legitimate or legal.
Keep Water Close By
Not everything goes as planned in life. And that includes using fireworks. It's a good idea to keep plenty of water nearby such as a bucket of water or a garden hose, just in case something catches fire or the fireworks continue to burn. Since you may not always be able to tell if fireworks have been completely extinguished after use, it's a good idea to soak all fireworks, used or unused, before discarding them. The last thing you want to do is light the trash on fire.
Do Not Use Fireworks Indoors
Another thing you should never say is, 'I'm going to the bathroom to light some fireworks,' unless you mean that euphemistically. Never use fireworks in an enclosed area. Instead, make sure that the space is wide open, far away from anything that may be flammable.
It's also not a good idea to light fireworks in a container. That could lead pressure to build up, resulting in an even bigger explosion. Plus, it could break the container and send fragments flying around all over the place.
Make Sure That You And Others Are Properly Protected
Keep yourself and those around you adequately protected when using fireworks. Don't wear something that can easily catch fire like the wedding dress with the 27-foot train and a 10-foot veil that Mariah Carey wore in her 1993 wedding to Tommy Mottola. Anyone close to fireworks should wear protective eyewear and consider covering any exposed body parts.
Use Proper Procedures When Lighting Fireworks
Once you light any fireworks, quickly move away and keep a safe distance from them. You should never hold lit fireworks in your hand. Don't point fireworks at anyone or say, 'Here, catch this lit firecracker.'
● Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
● Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
26 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How a Double Amputee Marine Trains for Everyday Life
When Johnny 'Joey' Jones was just 24 years old, he was a Marine bomb technician in Iraq, spending his days clearing streets and buildings of deadly threats. After five intense days and the discovery of more than 30 bombs, one wrong step changed everything. An explosion beneath him threw him backward, taking both of his legs and severing part of his right arm. That same day, his close friend, Corporal Daniel Greer, who was surveying the area alongside him, suffered a fatal traumatic brain injury and never made it home. The years following his injury were a relentless journey of reclaiming lost abilities—standing, walking, riding motorcycles, and even shooting a shotgun. Every new milestone was a hard-won victory, a testament to his unbreakable spirit. Now, nearly 15 years later, Joey Jones lives a life that his younger self could never have imagined. He's a devoted husband and father, a Fox News contributor, and the author of two books—his latest, Behind the Badge, recently landed in the top spot on The New York Times bestsellers list. While his first book focused on his military experiences and those of his fellow service members, his second book looks at the first responders saving lives right in their hometowns. Unlike a lot of retired veterans who have distance from the battlefield, the men and women in Behind the Badge face the difficult reality of processing trauma while returning to the very streets where it happened day in and day out. According to Jones, it's easier to endure the hardship of deployment overseas, away from the life you know, than to be at home and feel like you're at war while surrounded by the everyday comforts of family. For many first responders, the challenge lies in confronting the 'terrible things' they've seen and experienced, all while holding tight to the people they love most. 'As I realized, it is easier to check out for six months or eight months or 10 months overseas and be in a completely different environment that is not germane to anything you think to be normal, away from your family. It is much harder to do that in your hometown, to feel like you're at war…and come home and hug your kids and your wife or your husband.'That's a different kind of strength entirely—one Jones has come to understand through experience. When he first joined the Marines, he saw strength as something purely physical, tied to endurance, grit, and muscle. Back then, the mentality was simple: suck it up, buttercup. But after losing his legs and, later, reflecting deeply while writing his second book, his perspective shifted. Strength, he's realized, has far more to do with what the mind and spirit can endure than what the body can carry. "I used to say that anybody can be brave for a can get pumped up on see stupid people jump off the side of cruise ships," he says. "That's kind of brave. But courage is knowing the consequences, not wanting those consequences, but choosing to do it anyway because it needs to be done. And so for me, that's the ultimate strength." People who experience trauma and hardship all share one truth: Real strength doesn't come from being untouched by pain, but from living through it and finding purpose on the other side. For Jones, that meant embracing the scars (literally and physically) that became his proof of survival and reminders of resilience. "I mean, once you've been through something that you didn't know you could get through, you have to build some sort of security about your ability to get through [hard] things," Jones says. "And I think that you can train your mind emotionally as much as you can train your body physically." For Jones, mental strength is deeply connected to what he's been able to accomplish physically since losing his legs. In rehab, he quickly gained a reputation—not for sticking to the standard recovery protocol, but for grabbing dumbbells and cranking out front raises and shoulder presses. "So there's that side of it, that kind of mental side," he said. "On the other side, the more physically fit I am, the better I can maneuver my prosthetic legs, the more independent I am, and the less I have to ask other people to do things for me. And that means a lot to me. That means a whole lot to me." In the beginning, he wasn't just healing, he was rebuilding. That effort, he says, was a crucial step in reclaiming a sense of control and reminding himself that while he couldn't do everything, there was still plenty he could do. Going to the gym and working out, and being able to reclaim certain movements "played a huge role in my recovery," he says. "To this day, it plays a big role in my ability to be a guy that's a double-above-the-knee amputee and with an arm that's kind of goofy, and travel the country almost weekly by myself. And so, whenever it sucks and it hurts and my leg bleeds and stuff like that, there's a smile on the inside because yeah, I can still do it."That physical discipline isn't just about looking or feeling strong either—it's about being ready. For Jones, the gym is preparation for real life, not just for aesthetics (although that's part of it, he admits). Whether it's putting his legs on every morning, skeet shooting on his farm with fellow veterans, supporting his kids and wife, or simply navigating daily tasks with independence, training gives him the capability—and confidence—to keep showing up. Strength, in Jones' world, isn't theoretical; it's practical. It's the fuel he uses to carry the weight of his responsibilities and the anchor that keeps him grounded. "Those responsibilities can wear you down and feel like burdens, or they can be the reminder of how awesome life is," he says. "I mean, when you think about a responsibility, like I'm a dad to my kids—nobody else in the world do they look to other than me to be Dad. Why wouldn't I be just excited about that? That's reassurance of my purpose in life." How a Double Amputee Marine Trains for Everyday Life first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 4, 2025
Washington Post
29 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Whose ‘utmost, sincere convictions' matter to the Supreme Court?
On the day before this week's Independence Day celebrations on July Fourth, I observed the 64th anniversary of the day I solemnly declared my dependence on my wife, Gwen. It was a private wedding in the presence of family and a few friends. Without fanfare, just as Thursday evening's quiet dinner with just the two of us was.
Chicago Tribune
30 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
For Aurora residents, Fourth of July parade in city's downtown a patriotic tradition
For Kasey Diestelkamp of Aurora and her family, the city's annual Fourth of July parade is a must before her family thinks about backyard barbecues or anything else that might accompany the holiday. 'We always come to the parade,' she said while holding her daughter Beckett, who is almost 3 years old. 'We come every year. We live down the street and ride our bikes and it's an important holiday for families to get together. After the parade, we go home and change into our swimsuits and go to our in-laws where we swim and we eat. But it wouldn't be the Fourth of July without the parade. That's the start of everything.' Beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, Aurora welcomed in the Fourth of July with the city's annual parade that kicked off at the intersection of Benton Street and Broadway downtown. The night before, the city celebrated America's 249th birthday with a Thursday evening fireworks show. The parade on Friday featured more than 30 floats, a number that officials said was similar to years past. 'This is an important day for Aurorans as well as all of our surrounding communities and the nation,' said Jon Zaghloul, communications manager for the city of Aurora, before the parade began. 'Our grand marshal is Hugo Saltijeral, who is such a welcome part of the community. He is what Aurora is – he's someone who is resilient, who is generous and who is very actively involved in pretty much everything that goes on here in Aurora.' According to a press release from the city, Saltijeral gives back to the community in many ways and 'currently serves as the executive director of the Valley Sheltered Workshop, leading a bold transformation in disability services.' Zaghloul noted that Friday 'is a great opportunity for city residents to come out and celebrate America's birthday and have a fun time watching all of the great floats and groups that walk in the parade.' 'This is very similar to Memorial Day where people can come to the parade and then take some time to relax. It's primarily a day off for most people and a great opportunity to come together downtown and celebrate and then have family time,' he said. Spotty rain which moved into the area before the parade helped keep things cooler this year as thousands gathered along the parade route. Brie Blue, 28, of Yorkville, said she was the head coach for the West Aurora High School cheerleaders and while the school has participated in the parade for many years, 'this is the first time for this coaching staff to be in it.' 'The importance of today is kind of what I coach my kids in all the time – it's all of us coming together and celebrating all our accomplishments and our future and what we have and everyone who came before us,' Blue said. 'It's like our alumni and all of those who served for us – fought for our country. The girls are super-excited about being in the parade. They love walking in it and doing community involvement.' Nick Sargis, who is the theater supervisor for the Fox Valley Park District, brought a slew of participants – more than 80 – to the parade. 'We have a great relationship with the city of Aurora and it's great that we get to walk and support our community,' he said of the parade. Diestelkamp and others spoke about the importance of the holiday for Americans. 'This is important to teach our kids about the Fourth of July and what it really means and it's a good sense of community being with all the Aurorans,' she said. Kathy Maltese of Aurora and her husband Tony said the parade is always on their Fourth of July to-do list. 'When it's the Fourth of July, it's the first box we have to check,' Kathy Maltese said. 'It's a tradition. It's something you've got to do.' 'This shows your patriotism and right now with all the things going on you have to show up now more than ever and this is one way of showing some kind of unity,' Tony Maltese added. 'You don't get a chance to do that all the time.'
