A man died Thursday night while handling fireworks on Chicago’s northwest side, and in Alabama, a pyrotechnician was airlifted to a hospital after a shell was accidentally fired during a fireworks display, injuring him and canceling the city’s show.
These incidents are among numerous cases of fireworks-related injuries and deaths reported across the country during this year’s Fourth of July festivities.
Here’s a look at major fireworks-related injuries reported across the country as of Friday morning:
Fireworks-related deaths
- In Illinois, a man died after handling fireworks on Chicago’s northwest side around 10 p.m. Thursday. The Chicago Police Department told USA TODAY that officers responded to the scene and found a 34-year-old man suffering from trauma to his body. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
- Also in Illinois, a 25-year-old man died Friday morning in Peoria following a fireworks accident, the Journal Star, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported. The LaSalle County Sheriff’s Office said the incident involved illegal fireworks and the injured man was taken to a hospital where he later died.
- In Alabama, Huntsville Emergency Medical Emergency Services Inc. spokesman Don Webster told USA TODAY that a man was injured shortly after midnight Friday after a fireworks accident in Madison County. Webster said the 20-year-old Harvest man, who suffered trauma to his upper torso, was taken to a Huntsville hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Pyrotechnician taken by helicopter for burns:Alabama fireworks technician hospitalized after unexpected shell explosion; city show canceled
Fireworks Injuries 2024
- In Alabama, the city of Jacksonville canceled its fireworks show after a shell exploded unexpectedly and injured a technician Thursday night, sending him to the hospital by helicopter. On Friday, city officials said the technician had been released and is expected to recover.
- In Oklahoma, a 10-year-old boy from the Oklahoma City area was taken to a hospital to be treated for burns caused by a firework explosion, KFOR-TV reported. A man told the television station that his grandson had purchased four fireworks and two of them malfunctioned, one of which injured the boy.
- In Utah, several people were injured during an annual fireworks display at Brigham Young University’s LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, KUTV-TV reported. The event featured a performance by the Jonas Brothers. Provo Police Department spokeswoman Janna-Lee Holland told the station that the fireworks misfired and hit the crowd. The number of injured and the severity of the injuries were not immediately available.
Last Year’s Injury Report
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year 9,700 people were treated in emergency rooms across the country and eight people died as a result of fireworks-related accidents.
Here’s a look at last year’s injuries:
- 19% suffered eye injuries.
- 22% suffered injuries to the face, head and ears.
- 35% suffered hand injuries.
- 11% suffered lower limb injuries.
Fireworks Safety Tips
To use fireworks safely, the National Safety Council recommends viewing them at professionally organized public displays and not using them at home.
If you must light fireworks at home, the council recommends these tips:
- Do not use illegal fireworks.
- Never allow children to handle fireworks.
- Never use fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Wear eye protection.
- Never hold lit fireworks in your hands.
- Never light fireworks indoors.
- Use fireworks only away from people, homes and flammable materials.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
- Only turn on one device at a time and maintain a safe distance.
- Never light appliances in a container.
- Never relight or handle a defective firework.
- Soak spent, unused fireworks in water for a few hours before disposing of them.
- Keep water nearby to extinguish fireworks in case of fire.
- Instead of sparklers, consider using safer alternatives, like glow sticks, confetti shooters, and colorful streamers.
This is a developing story.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Contact her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.
