June 26, 2018
Fireworks during the 4th of July are part of the American tradition. Unfortunately, thousands of people (mostly children and teens) are injured while using consumer fireworks.
In 2017, Denver Health Paramedics responded to 344 calls on the 4th of July, according to Lt. Julia Arellano. The typical calls are for alcohol intoxication, unconsciousness, falls and traffic accidents, but fireworks injuries are top of mind.
Nationwide, more than 11,000 people are injured by consumer fireworks and 25 percent of those injuries come from sparklers.
Denver Health wants you to enjoy your holiday and fireworks by following these simple safety tips:
- Leave fireworks to the professionals.
- Attend a public fireworks display conducted by trained professionals.
Consumer Fireworks
Consumer fireworks are those that can be legally purchased and include sparklers and firecrackers. In Colorado, Consumer Fireworks are fireworks that do NOT explode or leave the ground. In Denver, all fireworks are illegal for non-professionals. Please check with your city and county before purchasing fireworks to ensure they are legal and there are no fire bans in place.
Visit the National Fire Protection Association for more information.
