Overview
- This July 4 holiday weekend officials pointed to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission data showing about 13,000 firework-related injuries and 15 deaths in 2025.
- Sparklers are a major hazard because they burn at roughly 2,000°F and caused an estimated 1,300 ER visits last year, so experts say young children should never handle them.
- Trauma and burn doctors report catastrophic wounds from consumer fireworks, including deep burns, finger loss and partial amputations, and they urge leaving displays to professionals.
- Dry conditions and active wildfires have led some states and cities to impose temporary bans, distance rules and steep fines, with Utah issuing a short statewide ban and Phoenix restricting fireworks near preserves.
- Officials and industry leaders advise concrete steps to prevent injury: obey local laws, supervise children, keep distance, avoid alcohol when handling fireworks and fully douse spent sparklers in water.