As we approach the Holiday weekend we would like to take a moment to remind everyone to be safe this Fourth of July weekend. With the cancelation of public firework displays there has been a large increase in the use of illegal fireworks. “Every year we see increasing numbers of devastating fireworks-related injuries that could be avoided altogether. This year there has been a 35% increase in fireworks sales which translates to even more injuries related to fireworks in all age groups that present to our Emergency Departments turning what should be a festive celebration of our country’s independence into a family tragedy for many,” said emergency medicine specialist Rema Johnson, DO. Assistant Medical Director at AMITA Health Saint Alexius Medical Center in an article from the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance. According to the Consumer Product Safety Committee in 2019 there was over 10,000 firework related injuries including 12 deaths. Even something as simple as a sparkler can be dangerous. A sparkler burns at temperatures around 1800 degrees. That’s more than enough to cause skin burns or to ignite clothing. Sparklers account the majority of firework injuries to children under five and overall represent one quarter of all emergency room fireworks injuries. Don’t become a fireworks injury statistic this year and find other ways to enjoy the Fourth.