Incidents have marred 4th of July celebrations across the United States as four fireworks displays turned into disasters, resulting in multiple injuries and fatalities.
Park Township, Michigan was the scene of a home fireworks display gone awry, resulting in the death of a 43-year-old woman and injuries to nine others. Damages to nearby properties and vehicles were also reported. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
Meanwhile, a public fireworks show in Allegan City, Michigan concluded with minor injuries to spectators and a child hospitalized when a firework misfired into the crowd.
Elsewhere, in Cary, Illinois, a man aged 58 was critically hurt when a commercial-grade firework exploded in his face. Law enforcement is considering criminal charges since the fireworks used in this incident necessitate a permit.
In northeast Texas, another individual lost their life and four others were hurt in a firework explosion during event setup. Although investigations are ongoing, officials have ruled out foul play.
Alex Hoehn-Saric, the Chair of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has underscored the importance of safety during celebrations to avoid accidents and ensure enjoyable experiences. It comes as data from the previous year pointed to 10,200 injuries caused by fireworks in the US, with 11 resulting in death. The majority of these injuries – 73 percent – were recorded in the month around July 4th.
The CPSC is cautioning people to use only consumer-grade fireworks labeled for such use or to leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals. Safety measures should include maintaining a safe distance for children, having a water source at hand, and avoiding handling fireworks while under the influence.
