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.
Leave fireworks to the experts, urges the Minnesota Medical Association
June 24, 2021
Now that things are opening up and more Minnesotans are getting together for outdoor entertainment, Minnesota’s physicians want to remind their fellow citizens to leave the lighting of fireworks to the professionals this Independence Day.
“We see it every year. Many Minnesotans are injured and wind up in the emergency department because of injuries caused by fireworks,” said MMA President Marilyn Peitso, MD. “Physicians urge people to leave these dangerous explosives to the professionals. Serious injuries can result from accidents with fireworks.”
According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission an estimated 7,300 fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency departments between June 21, 2019, and July 21, 2019. Overall, in 2019, 10,000 injuries were treated in emergency departments. The parts of the body most often injured were hands and fingers (an estimated 30 percent); legs (an estimated 23 percent); eyes (an estimated 15 percent); head, face, and ears (an estimated 15 percent); and arms (an estimated 10 percent).
Some fireworks that are purchased out of state or through other channels can be extremely dangerous because of their high explosive content. Even relatively basic fireworks like firecrackers can cause significant injury and the MMA would prefer that fireworks be detonated only by trained individuals and not available to the general public.
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Minnesota Physicians Focus on Five Priorities for Legislative Session
February 11, 2026
The state’s largest advocacy group for Minnesota physicians and physicians-in-training will advocate for five key legislative priorities at the Capitol this session, which begins February 17. The group will hold its annual Physicians’ Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 4, bringing together physicians and physicians-in-training from across the state to meet with their elected officials.
“Dozens of healthcare-related bills go through the Capitol each session,” said Lisa Mattson, MD, the Minnesota Medical Association’s (MMA) president. “But to make an impact for patients and medical practice in Minnesota, we really need to focus our efforts on a few top issues.”