Sioux Falls Fire Rescue urges citizens to leave fireworks to the professionals. Each year SFFR responds to fires caused by fireworks. Nationally, more than $36 million in property is damaged each year due to fireworks.

Another sad fact is a large number of fireworks burn injuries involve children. These are usually burns to the hands and eyes causing vision impairment as well as disfiguring scars. “Sparklers are the biggest danger to children,” says Jim Sideras. A tip temperature at the end of the sparkler reaches 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit and can easily cause severe burns. Sideras cautions that, “Kids and fireworks are a dangerous combination.”

Quick Facts

Emergency departments treated an average of 9,600 people each year for firework-related injuries in the United States, and 8 people will die from their injuries during the month around Independence Day:

• 40 percent of these injuries occurred among children ages 14 years and younger.
• Males sustained about 76 percent of all injuries.
• Hands (33 percent), eyes (21 percent), and the head, face, and ears (21 percent) were the parts of the body most frequently injured.
• More than half of the injuries involved burns (62 percent).
• Injuries were most commonly associated with firecrackers (17 percent), sparklers (17 percent), and rockets (14 percent).

In order to prevent injuries and fires, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue reminds citizens that discharging of fireworks is illegal in the city limits.

For more information, contact Division Chief Jim Sideras at 605-201-0798.