Safety First – Dummies Get Annihilated by Fireworks
Let's face it, we already know that fireworks can be dangerous. But that hint of danger is what makes lighting them off, so darn fun. Actually, the more risk involved in lighting off fireworks, the better. But, it really does hurt a lot of people each year.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission report from 2019
Seven of the deaths were associated with misuse of fireworks, 2 deaths were associated with fireworks device malfunction (late ignition), and 3 incidents were associated with unknown circumstances. Fireworks were involved with an estimated 10,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2019 (95 percent confidence interval 7,100 – 12,900). The estimated rate of fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries in the United States is 3.1 per 100,000 individuals.
I can count on all my fingers (the ones that haven't been blown off...kidding) how many times I have had a close call with fireworks. Growing up here in Montana, I am no stranger to dabbling in pyrotechnics. Constantly trying to find ways to make a bigger "BOOM!" I have done it all. Everything from sparkler bombs to strapping artillery shells to stuffed animals. Don't even get me started with the epic bottle rocket/roman candle battles.
Not like we REALLY need someone to demonstrate the dangers of fireworks, but if you were given the task of blowing stuff up, why not let dummies do it. Check out the consequences of what would happen if you were a complete idiot with fireworks. Apparently, our government thinks we are all "not the sharpest knives in the drawer."