Facts and figures

Fireworks are only fun when they are used safely!

Fireworks injury rates are at an all-time low. From 1994 to 1998 alone, the injury rate dropped over 44 percent.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there were an estimated 8,500 people treated for fireworks-related injuries in 1999. That's down from 10,900 in 1995. In 1990, the figure was 12,000.

However, the real story is that fireworks injuries have dropped radically, as well. Injuries per 100,000 pounds of fireworks have dropped from 17.8 in 1990 to 5.4 in 1999, based on statistics from the CPSC's NEISS system.

Manufacturers' participation in Federal safety regulations, combined with an increased consumer awareness, are making the Fourth of July Holiday safer than ever. However, explosive devices like M-80s and M-100s continue to be a problem. Though banned since 1966, these illegal explosives still account for one-third of all Fourth of July injuries.

This Fourth of July, legal fireworks that meet the safety regulations of the CPSC will be on sale in 41 of 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Safety Tips - To help you celebrate safely this Fourth of July, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Council on Fireworks Safety and the Indiana Fireworks Users Association offer the following safety tips:

	Always read and follow label directions.
	Have an adult present.
	Buy from reliable sellers.
	Use outdoors only.
	Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
	Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
	Light only one firework at a time.
	Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
	Never give fireworks to small children.
	If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
	Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trashcan.
	Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
	Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
	Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
	The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
	Stay away from illegal explosives.

Injuries

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) monitors a sample of hospital rooms and produces annual injury estimates associated with a number of consumer products based upon the injuries that are recorded on these selected hospitals. Using this data, CPSC estimates that 7,000 people were treated for fireworks-related injuries in 1998. This is down from an estimated 8,300 in 1997.

CPSC emphasizes that estimates are based on injuries relating to fireworks, but it is incorrect to say that injuries were caused by the product. Also, the figure covers injury reports associated with all types of fireworks, including accidents involving homemade items and large, illegal explosive devices.

In 1976, CPSC enacted national standards for family-type fireworks in response to a petition calling on CPSC to ban all fireworks except for licensed public displays. All fireworks now legally available for sale to consumers must comply with the CPSC rules. Since the adoption of these regulations, the amount of fireworks used each year has doubled, suggesting that the injury rate in terms of injuries per one million pounds of fireworks ignited has declined significantly.

A recent report prepared by CPSC analyzed injury data collected over a seven year period. The study concluded, "In instances where legal types of fireworks were involved in accidents, either from misuse or malfunction, the resulting injuries were relatively minor and did not require hospitalization." The CPSC study also noted that a majority of the injuries from the "consumer" or family-type fireworks involved misuse rather than malfunction.

Illegal fireworks continue to be a serious problem. Over the past 10 years, 30-33 percent of the injuries associated with fireworks have typically been caused by illegal explosives or homemade fireworks.

Today's consumer fireworks are primarily noted from their beautiful visual effects rather than explosive noise. With the enactment of rigid safety standards for consumer fireworks, a safe, enjoyable backyard fireworks display is now possible.

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Safety Tips - To help you celebrate safely this Fourth of July, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Council on Fireworks Safety and the Indiana Fireworks Users Association offer the following safety tips:

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