With the Fourth of July fast approaching, North Carolina officials are raising awareness about the dangers of fireworks.
“Each year there are an alarming number of injuries and fires caused by the improper use of fireworks,” State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said.
Many types of fireworks are illegal in North Carolina. It is important to be aware of and follow all state and local laws regarding fireworks.
Improper use of fireworks, such as lighting them indoors, holding them in the hand or tampering with them, can result in serious injury, fire or even death.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of people are injured each year while using fireworks.
In 2023 alone, fireworks caused eight deaths and more than 9,000 injuries across the U.S. The highest rate of emergency room visits for fireworks-related injuries was among teenagers ages 15-19, with the second highest rate among children ages 5-9.
Fireworks can burn up to nearly 1,200 degrees and account for more than a quarter of firework-related injuries that send people to the emergency room, so you should never allow your children to play with or light fireworks, and sparklers are no exception.
Here in North Carolina, we see a surge in emergency room visits due to fireworks injuries every Fourth of July, with the most common injuries being to the hands, fingers, eyes and face.
Taylor said the best way to avoid injury is to leave fireworks to the professionals.
“By leaving fireworks to the professionals, we can all help reduce the number of fireworks and ensure Independence Day celebrations are memorable for all the right reasons,” Taylor said. “Fireworks in public places are not only safer than those you can set off at home, they are also much more spectacular.”
This Fourth of July, keep these fireworks safety tips in mind.
- If you are purchasing fireworks for personal entertainment, make sure they are legal.
- Please read the instructions carefully. If you are under 16 years of age, please use this product only under adult supervision.
- Never light fireworks indoors or in a car.
- Do not relight or pick up fireworks that are not fully lit.
- Never light fireworks near dry grass.
- Keep a bucket of water, a fire extinguisher, or a garden hose nearby in case of an accidental fire or other incident.
- If fireworks malfunction, soak them in water before disposing of them.
Gun salute
Firing a gun into the air to mark an event or holiday is dangerous and illegal. Although these shots are not intended to injure anyone, falling bullets can strike people or property and cause serious injury or death.
According to DPD's Crime Analysis Unit, 9% of the city's gunshot calls in 2023 occurred on Jan. 1, 2023, July 4, 2023 and Dec. 31, 2023. Durham 911 received a total of 343 gunshot calls during those three days, which equates to an average of 114 gunshot calls per day.
Anyone who fires a gun into the air could face criminal charges and heavy fines.
Don't fire a gun into the air, take cover if you hear gunfire and call 911 if you see someone firing a weapon.
Grill Safety
Unsafe grilling practices cause numerous fires every year.
Follow these grill safety tips for a fun and risk-free Fourth of July.
- Never leave a lit grill unattended and never leave children near the grill unsupervised.
- Do not wear loose clothing that could come into contact with the grill and catch fire.
- Never use gasoline to light charcoal. Use only suitable charcoal starter fluid. Use starter fluid sparingly and never over an open flame.
- Make sure the charcoal is completely extinguished before disposing of it. Use long-handled tongs to remove the charcoal and soak it in an empty metal container filled with water.
- Keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose connected to a nearby water source in case a fire breaks out.
- Do not use a grill on a flammable porch, deck, balcony or within 10 feet of any building. This includes grilling on a wooden deck.
Pet Safety
Noisy, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, who may become frightened or disoriented by the noise. Resist the urge to bring your pet to your Independence Day celebrations and instead keep them in a quiet, safe area of the home where they can't escape and avoid the noise.
Never use fireworks around pets. Contact with lit fireworks can cause severe burns and trauma to an inquisitive pet's face or paws. Even unused fireworks can be dangerous. Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances, including potassium nitrate, arsenic, and other heavy metals.
Do not leave alcoholic drinks within reach of pets as they can be poisonous to pets.
Make sure your pet is wearing a visible identification collar with your name and phone number, and if your pet is microchipped, make sure the information is up to date.