July 4th is a cause to celebrate for many – but Independence Day fireworks can also be risky business.
About 230 people go the emergency department every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday. Body parts like hands, fingers, and arms are most vulnerable to injury when fireworks are used unsafely or improperly.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that in 2014, fireworks caused:
- More than 22,700 injuries among people of all ages, including 8,787 emergency department visits.
- Total medical expenses of over $138 million, and the average person suffering $17,785 in work loss.
PSP wishes you a safe, but celebratory July 4th, 2015. Enjoy!
