[8/10/16] State Fire Marshal Says Fireworks Injuries Increased This Year
Serious Fireworks Injuries Increase by 40% in 2016
Olympia—Serious fireworks-related injuries from June 1 to July 31, 2016 in Washington State rose by 40% according to the latest figures from the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The majority of these injuries occurred on the Fourth of July. This year, fireworks injuries resulted in amputations, first, second, third degree burns and hearing and eyesight loss. 16% of those injured were due to alcohol or drug impairment.
In addition, fireworks-related-fires resulted in an estimated nearly $200,000 in property loss during the same period. There were 67 fireworks-related fires with 62% of them occurring on the Fourth of July holiday.
“Any injury or fire due to fireworks is too many,” says State Fire Marshal Charles M. Duffy.
“The best way to prevent fireworks-related injuries and fires is to attend a licensed, public fireworks display,”
For more information about fireworks safety, check the Celebrate Safely website at http://www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/fireworks.htm.
Key Highlights – June 1 to July 30, 2016:
INJURIES
- There were 226 fireworks-related injuries reported. This number includes legal consumer fireworks, illegal devices and diverted 1.3G shells
- The top 3 parts of the body most often injured were hands and fingers (86 injuries), followed by face, eyes and ears (65), and legs (20)
- Contributing factors in 16 % of all injuries (37 injuries) were due to alcohol or drug impairment
- 164 injuries (74%) occurred on the Fourth of July
- King (43 injuries), Snohomish (42) and Pierce (29) Counties reported the highest number of injuries
FIRES
- There were 67 fireworks-related fires reported, resulting in $199,500 in property loss. This number includes legal consumer fireworks, illegal devices and diverted 1.3G shells
- 42 fires (62%) occurred on the Fourth of July
Top 10 Fireworks/Device Types Causing Injuries:
|
Type |
# of Injuries Caused |
Type of Injuries |
Average Age of Persons Injured |
|
Aerial Shells (legal/illegal) |
61 |
12 amputations, 1st & 2nd degree burns, multiple injuries |
27 |
|
Unknown Device |
37 |
3 amputation, multiple injuries, 1st & 2nd degree burns |
24 |
|
Sparklers |
32 |
1st & 2nd degree burns to hands and face, eyes |
21 |
|
Roman Candle |
18 |
1 amputation, 1st & 2nd degree burns and sight loss |
20 |
|
Bottle Rocket / Missile |
9 |
Primarily head/face – burns, hearing loss and eye trauma |
21 |
|
Sparkler Bomb |
9 |
2 amputation, 1 multiple injury, 1st & 2nd & 3rd degree burns |
31 |
|
Cake |
8 |
1st & 2nd degree burns, multiple injuries |
29 |
|
Novelties |
8 |
1st & 2nd degree burns |
21 |
|
Firecrackers |
7 |
1 amputation, burns, hearing loss, sight loss |
23 |
|
Homemade Device |
6 |
1 amputation, burns, open fractures |
30 |
Type of Fires Reported:
|
|
Firework Type |
|
|
||
|
Fire Type |
Illegal |
Legal |
Unknown |
Damage in $ |
Total Fires |
|
Vegetation |
5 |
14 |
20 |
$2,650 |
39 |
|
Residential |
3 |
3 |
2 |
$126,250 |
8 |
|
School/Grounds |
2 |
0 |
0 |
$0 |
2 |
|
Other |
3 |
2 |
10 |
$5,500 |
15 |
|
Commercial |
1 |
0 |
0 |
$ 0 |
1 |
|
Vehicle |
1 |
0 |
0 |
$100 |
1 |
|
Residential/Vehicle |
0 |
0 |
1 |
$65,000 |
1 |
|
Total |
15 |
19 |
33 |
$199,500 |
67 |
Top 5 Reported Ignition Sources:
|
Type |
# of Fires Caused |
Damage in $ |
|
Unknown |
33 |
$143,950 |
|
Aerial Shells |
8 |
$2,450 |
|
Bottle Rockets |
6 |
$2,000 |
|
Firecrackers |
3 |
$0 |
|
M-80s |
3 |
$300 |
|
Total |
53 |
$148,700 |