Home / About Us / Press Room / Play it safe this Fourth of July, let the experts handle the fireworks

Play it safe this Fourth of July, let the experts handle the fireworks

June 23, 2025

This Fourth of July, Minnesota physicians are urging their fellow Minnesotans to leave the fireworks up to the professionals. 

“Every summer we hear too many sad stories about people getting hurt by fireworks,” said MMA President Edwin Bogonko, MD, MBA. “This year, 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 (2023) from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), hands and fingers were the most often injured body parts (35%), followed by heads, face and ears (22%), eyes (19%), trunk (11%), and legs (8%). In 2023, there were 9,700 people treated in ERs and eight deaths. 

According to the CPSC, teenagers ages 15 to 19 years old had the highest estimated rate of emergency department-treated, fireworks-related injuries, with children ages 5 to 9 years old had the second highest rate. 

 There were an estimated 800 emergency department-treated injuries associated with firecrackers and 700 with sparklers. 

“Fireworks are an annual tradition,” Bogonko said. “But it's a dangerous one, if not done correctly. Fireworks can result in severe burns, blindness, scars, and even death. Please leave them to the professionals who can take all the necessary safety precautions.” 

More Publications

Latest Press Releases

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.”

Minnesota Physicians Urge Congressional Delegation to Restrict ICE, CBP Activities in Healthcare Facilities and Other Sensitive Locations, and to Ensure Access to Medical Care at Detention Facilities

February 6, 2026

On February 5, the Minnesota Medical Association (MMA), along with several other physician advocacy groups, sent a letter to the Minnesota Congressional Delegation urging Congress, as a condition of ongoing funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), to restrict U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activities in or near healthcare facilities and other sensitive locations, and to hold DHS accountable for ensuring that detainees are provided with appropriate medical care, food, water, and other basic human needs.

MMA statement on CDC’s revision to childhood vaccine schedule

January 5, 2026

The Minnesota Medical Association (MMA) is deeply concerned with the recent decision by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to revise the childhood vaccine schedule. The changes add unnecessary confusion and uncertainty around vaccines that have been shown to be both safe and effective. Minnesota law continues to require evidence-based vaccinations for childcare and school attendance. The MMA urges parents and families to talk directly with their physicians about the critical role that childhood vaccines play in preventing serious disease and death, and in protecting the most vulnerable members or our communities.