As our community prepares to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, the Springfield Fire Department wants to share the following reminders for a safe celebration.
Fireworks are prohibited in the city limits of the City of Springfield.
- The Fire Code prohibits the possession, manufacture, storage, sales, handling and discharge of fireworks within city limits.
- Novelty items, described as snappers, party poppers, toy smoke devices or glowworms, and some sparklers are allowed but should be used with extreme care and under adult supervision.
- About 40% of Independence Day structure fires are the result of fireworks, according to the National Fire Protection Association. About 250 people go to emergency rooms each day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around July 4. Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires a year.
- According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, across the U.S. in 2022:
- Eleven people died as the result of fireworks, with victims ranging from 11 to 43 years old.
- 10,200 people were treated for injuries in hospital emergency rooms.
- Children under 15 years of age accounted for 28% of the 2022 injuries.
- About 43% of selected and tested fireworks were found to contain illegal components that could cause severe injuries. The components included fuses that did not comply with the law, the presence of prohibited chemicals, and pyrotechnic materials overload.
- According to data collected by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, in 2022, 324 people in Missouri sought hospital care related to fireworks; 292 of those people were treated in emergency rooms and released; 32 people were admitted to the hospital.
- More than 77% of those fireworks injuries occurred in the three-week period leading up to and following Independence Day (June 21 to July 11, 2022). During that period, 252 people with fireworks injuries sought hospital treatment in emergency rooms or were admitted for inpatient care.
Most injured body parts by fireworks
- 41.6%: hand or finger
- 13.8%: legs
- 36.4%: head, face, eyes or ear
“Sparklers burn at temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees and are the leading cause of injuries around Fourth of July,” says Fire Chief David Pennington. “Children should be educated on how to avoid injury from sparklers and well-supervised by an adult during their use.”
“A safe and fun way to celebrate Independence Day is to attend one of the many community displays in and around the city,” Chief Pennington adds. “These displays are presented by professionals who have obtained the required permit and safety inspection by the Bureau of Fire Prevention to ensure the safety of the public.
For more information, please contact Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Newberry at 417-874-2300.
Photo by Valentin Lacoste