Study shows firework-related injuries on the rise
From 2012 to 2022, emergency departments treated a total of 3219 individuals for firework-related injuries, representing an estimated 122,912 incidents nationwide, according to a study that aimed at examining the epidemiology of these injuries.
The study found a significant increase in incidence rate, going from 2.61 cases per 100,000 people in 2012 to 3.05 cases per 100,000 people in 2022.
Among the key findings, adolescents and young adults aged 20-24 experienced the highest rate of injuries at 7.13 cases per 100,000 people. Men were disproportionately affected, with more than double the injury rate compared to women (4.90 vs 2.25 cases per 100,000 people).
In terms of injury location, the upper extremities (41.62%), head/neck (36.40%), and lower extremities (13.78%) were identified as the most affected body regions. More than 20% of injuries among individuals over 20 years old necessitated hospitalization, highlighting the severity of many incidents. The study noted that their reported incidence of significant injury to the face/neck was similar to that observed in ocular trauma investigations, which showed that one in 6 ocular firework traumas could cause severe vision loss.
Analysis by firework type revealed that aerial devices (32.11%) and illegal fireworks (21.05%) caused the highest rates of significant injuries requiring hospital care.
Reference
Winicki NM, Waldrop I, Orozco JV Jr, et al. The epidemiology of firework-related injuries in the US, 2012-2022. Inj Epidemiol. 2023;10(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s40621-023-00446-5. PMID: 37403127; PMCID: PMC10320921.
