Doctors Warn: Be Extra Cautious This Fourth of July, and Let the Experts Handle the Fireworks
June 29, 2026
This Fourth of July, Minnesota physicians are once again urging their fellow Minnesotans to leave the fireworks up to the professionals.
Doctors Warn: Be Extra Cautious This Fourth of July, and Let the Experts Handle the Fireworks
June 29, 2026
This Fourth of July, Minnesota physicians are once again urging their fellow Minnesotans to leave the fireworks up to the professionals.
“Every summer we hear of too many sad stories about people getting injured by fireworks,” said MMA President Lisa Mattson, MD. “Last July, a 13-year-old Minnesotan in Mahnomen County died from a fireworks accident. So, please stay away from firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, sparklers, and all of those dangerous items. It’s better to be safe, than sorry.”
According to the latest statistics (2024) from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), hands and fingers were the most often injured body parts (36%), followed by head, face, and ears (22%). In 2024, there were 11 reported fireworks-related deaths, which is a 38% increase over 2023. Overall, 14,700 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks injuries in 2024, and 1,700 of those involved the seemingly harmless sparklers.
According to the CPSC, adults ages 25 to 44 made up the largest share of victims (32%), followed by people ages 15 to 24 (24%).
“Lighting off fireworks is a time-honored tradition in our country, but it's a dangerous one,” Mattson said. “They can result in severe burns, blindness, scars, and even death. Please leave them to the professionals who can take all the necessary safety precautions.”
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