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MURRAY — As we head into the holiday weekend, fireworks are lighting up skies across the region, but experts are urging caution, reminding everyone that these dazzling displays come with very real safety risks. "Fireworks are explosive and very hot. They can be pretty serious in terms of the harm and the injury that they cause," said Dr. Adam Balls, the senior medical director of emergency medicine and trauma for Intermountain Health. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 14,700 people ended up in the ER last year with fireworks-related injuries — a 52% increase from 2023. Dr. Balls said they see all kinds of injuries this time of year, from burns and eye trauma to even the loss of fingers. "Fingers is the most affected body part because folks are holding the firework, and it explodes before they expect it to," Balls said. "Patients that lose a finger, that will be a life-altering injury for the rest of their life." Balls advises never relighting a dud firework, always having water or a fire extinguisher nearby, and keeping young kids at a safe distance. "Just make sure your children understand the rules." While sparklers are a crowd favorite, they pose a real safety hazard, especially for young kids. They can burn at around 1,800 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. "So the hottest day in Utah, multiply that by a factor of 18 to 20. That's how hot a sparkler's burning when you ignite it and light it," Balls said. "The recommendation of emergency physicians and those of us in the trauma world would be to not have a child that is young, at any age, actually handling and holding the sparkler themselves." Be aware of the weather conditions, like wind, Balls added. He said he remembers treating multiple patients at a neighborhood firework display after the wind had knocked over the launching device. "When it knocked it over, the fireworks were already lit, and they shot off into the crowd. Multiple patients sustained second and third-degree burn injuries and impact explosion injuries," he said. If someone does get burned, cool the area with water right away and cover it with a clean dressing. Seek medical attention if the injury is serious. "If you do sustain an injury, we're here to help you and see you and evaluate you in the emergency department, but please just be safe," Balls said.
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