Fireworks Injuries - post July Fourth 2025

Public Safety

Jul 12

Fireworks-related injuries in the U.S. surged significantly in 2024, with post-July Fourth 2025 data showing the trend continuing. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported an estimated 14,700 injuries and 11 deaths in 2024, a 52% increase in injuries and a 38% rise in fatalities compared to the previous year. Most injuries occurred around Independence Day, and both legal and illegal fireworks contributed to the toll[1][3]. Children under 15 are the most likely to be injured, with 60% of reported victims 24 years old or younger.

Key Injury Patterns

Most common injuries: Burns (37% of cases), wounds to hands and fingers (36%), and injuries to the head, face, and ears (22%).
Sparklers alone: Responsible for about 1,700 emergency room visits.
Illegal fireworks: Though only 14% of cases, they accounted for over half of hospitalizations, especially reloadable aerial shells and large explosives[1][3].
Hospitalizations: About 20% of injuries required admission, with severe cases involving amputations, eye trauma, and permanent disability[4][5].

Devices Causing Injuries

	
		Rank
		Device Type
		% of Injuries / Notes
	

		1
		Sparklers
		~12% of injuries; ~1,700 ER visits; high burns risk
	

		2
		Firecrackers
		~12–18% of injuries; common in teens/adults
	

		3
		Reloadable aerial shells
		~45% of hospitalizations (illegal, severe trauma)
	

		4
		Rockets (incl. bottle rockets)
		Burns, eye injuries, facial trauma
	

		5
		Roman candles & novelties
		Burns, hand/face injuries
	

		6
		Homemade/illegal devices (M-80s, quarter sticks)
		Severe trauma, amputations, fatalities
	

Sparklers and firecrackers are the most frequently involved in injuries, especially among children. Illegal and large aerial devices, though less common, are responsible for the most severe injuries and hospitalizations[4][6].

Age Ranges Most Affected

	
		Rank
		Age Range
		% of Injuries / Notes
	

		1
		25–44 years
		32% of injuries (highest group)
	

		2
		15–24 years
		24% of injuries
	

		3
		Under 15 years
		36% of injuries (children especially at risk)
	

		4
		0–4 years
		Highest ER visit rate per capita (youngest)
	

		5
		45+ years
		Lower, but still significant
	

Males are disproportionately affected, comprising about 73–75% of all injuries. Children under 15 are especially vulnerable to burns from sparklers and small fireworks[7][4][6].

Locations with Most Injuries

	
		Rank
		Location Type / Region
		% of Injuries / Notes
	

		1
		Midwest
		Highest regional injury count
	

		2
		South
		Second highest regional injury count
	

		3
		West
		Lower, but notable for large incidents (CA)
	

		4
		Northeast
		Lowest regional injury count
	

		5
		Metropolitan teaching hospitals
		~50% of all ER visits
	

		6
		Metropolitan non-teaching hospitals
		28.5% of ER visits
	

		7
		Non-metropolitan areas
		21.9% of ER visits
	

Notable 2025 incidents:

Esparto, CA: Warehouse explosion, 7 deaths, 2 injuries
Honolulu, HI: Aliamanu disaster, 6 deaths, 20 injuries
Antioch, CA: Industrial firework explosion, 1 critical, 4 injured
Los Angeles, CA: Pacoima neighborhood explosion, 1 death, multiple homes destroyed[1][11].

Summary Table

	
		Device/Type
		Age Group Most Affected
		Region/Location
		Notes/Severity
	

		Sparklers
		Children <15
		All regions
		Burns, hand/eye injuries
	

		Firecrackers
		Teens, young adults
		Midwest, South
		Hand, face injuries, burns
	

		Illegal aerial shells
		Adults 25–44
		All regions (esp. West)
		Severe trauma, hospitalizations
	

		Rockets/Bottle rockets
		Teens, adults
		All regions
		Eye, facial injuries
	

		Homemade/illegal
		Adults, teens
		Urban, suburban areas
		Amputations, fatalities
	

Summary:

Fireworks injuries in 2025 are at record highs, with sparklers and firecrackers leading in total injuries, but illegal aerial shells causing the most severe outcomes. Adults aged 25–44 and children under 15 are most at risk, and the Midwest and South see the highest rates. Vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines remain critical[1][8][3].

Sources

[1] Fireworks 2025: A Dangerous Year - Lodi 411 https://lodi411.com/lodi-eye/fireworks-2025-a-dangerous-year

[2] CPSC Urges Fireworks Safety Ahead of July 4th Holiday https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2025/CPSC-Urges-Fireworks-Safety-Ahead-of-July-4th-Holiday

[3] Firework Accidents in the U.S.: By the Numbers - The Educated Patient https://www.theeducatedpatient.com/view/firework-accidents-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers

[4] Illegal fireworks cause more injuries requiring hospitalization https://spectrumlocalnews.com/mo/st-louis/public-safety/2025/06/30/fireworks-related-injuries-2024-increase-illegal-fireworks

[5] Common Fireworks Injuries: What You Should Know https://steinwhatley.com/2025/07/common-fireworks-injuries/

[6] Fireworks and Forensics: What Injury Data Reveals About Risk and ... https://www.cedtechnologies.com/fireworks-and-forensics-what-injury-data-reveals-about-risk-and-responsibility/

[7] Fireworks and sparklers are lots of fun, but they can cause terrible ... https://news.vumc.org/2025/07/01/fireworks-and-sparklers-are-lots-of-fun-but-they-can-cause-terrible-injuries-how-to-celebrate-safely/

[8] Fireworks Injury Statistics & Facts 2025 | Advisement.com https://advisement.com/fireworks-injury-statistics/

[9] Fireworks-Related Injuries by the Numbers - HSI https://hsi.com/blog/fireworks-related-injuries-by-the-numbers

[10] Updated: 1 Critical, 4 Others Injured in Antioch Fireworks Explosion https://contracosta.news/2025/07/05/1-critical-4-others-injured-in-antioch-fireworks-explosion/

[11] List of fireworks accidents and incidents - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fireworks_accidents_and_incidents

[12] Fireworks | CPSC.gov https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks

[13] Firework safety tips, injury statistics to keep in mind this Fourth of July https://www.centralnebraskatoday.com/2025/06/28/firework-safety-tips-injury-statistics-to-keep-in-mind-this-fourth-of-july/

[14] How to celebrate July 4th safely | NC Health News https://www.northcarolinahealthnews.org/2025/07/04/fireworks-related-injuries-deaths-nc-fireworks-safety/

[15] Fireworks Injuries by Age Group - Mekko Graphics https://www.mekkographics.com/fireworks-injuries-by-age-group/

[16] July 4th 2025 firework deaths and injuries by state - USA Today https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/07/07/july-4th-2025-firework-deaths-injuries/84490442007/

[17] Your 2025 Fireworks Safety Guide | Weather.com https://weather.com/safety/news/2025-07-01-fireworks-safety-guide-2025

[18] Are fireworks safe? Doctors lament preventable 'horrific injuries.' https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/07/03/fireworks-how-to-stay-safe/84422726007/

[19] Illegal fireworks cause more injuries requiring hospitalization https://spectrumlocalnews.com/us/snplus/public-safety/2025/06/30/fireworks-related-injuries-2024-increase-illegal-fireworks

[20] On July 4, 2025, at 9:45 pm, Buena Park Police officers were ... https://www.instagram.com/p/DLvF3qcvR0i/

Fireworks

Don Bradford