This week, StatisNostics is looking at how to have a safe 4th of July after last year’s 9,700 firework-related injuries.

The 4th of July, more formally known as Independence Day, commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by America’s Continental Congress in 1776. Since the holiday’s origin, fireworks have been used as part of the celebration. But why? When John Adams, America’s second president, wrote to his wife Abigail following the Declaration’s passing, he stated that July 4th “ought to be solemnized with […] Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other”— “illuminations” meaning fireworks. However, the use of pyrotechnics was nothing new by the time the Declaration was signed. A tradition brought over from Great Britain, Americans commonly used fireworks to celebrate national achievement— and still do to this day. While fireworks are a longstanding symbol of national honor and patriotism, it’s important to note that they are explosives and should be handled with care. In 2023, many Americans fell victim to firework related incidents, and the injuries ranged from severe burns, to amputations, to even death.

Despite thousands of people being injured every year, U.S. states continue to purchase and distribute fireworks during the July holiday. Missouri, for example, spends the most money on importing fireworks in the U.S. On average, $125.8 million are spent on fireworks annually (about $20.40 per resident). StatisNostics examined the debt burden of Missouri’s two biggest cities: St. Louis and Kansas City. In St. Louis, the debt burden per person is $72,352, and the burden per person in Kansas City is $79,245. Although these Missourian cities continue to grapple with high financial liability, that hasn’t stopped the state from purchasing millions of dollars worth of fireworks every year.

Officials from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have warned American residents to be safe this 4th of July. According to the CPSC, children should never be allowed to play with fireworks (including sparklers). They advise keeping a bucket of water handy in case of fire, not attempting to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks, and to never handle fireworks under the influence. 

As we continue to “illuminate” the 4th of July holiday with fireworks, it is important to follow safety precautions and exercise responsibility to maximize both enjoyment and safety.

If you want to know more about goverment spending or EMS/fire data in your own city/town, visit www.statisnostics.com. By entering your address in the search bar, you can discover information about your city’s goverment, demographics, public safety, economics, schools, real estate, health and climate.

1. “Why Do Americans Celebrate the Fourth of July with Fireworks?” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., www.britannica.com/story/why-do-americans-celebrate-independence-day-with-fireworks. Accessed 1 July 2024. 

2. “Fireworks.” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks. Accessed 1 July 2024. 

3. Weaver, Allison. “Missouri’s Fireworks Industry Booms.” ABC17NEWS, 20 June 2024, abc17news.com/news/top-stories/2024/06/20/missouris-fireworks-industry-booms/#. 

Cover Photo Credit: Aleksandr Durnov