While most people prefer to spend Fourth of July watching fireworks with their family, each year thousands end up in the emergency room instead.
Firework-related accidents cause more than 11,000 injuries and seven deaths each every year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
In an interview with "Today," a 17-year-old from Washington state who lost four fingers on his left hand admitted that he hadn’t taken the proper safety precautions when handling fireworks. “I didn’t know it was gonna go off that fast,” he said.
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Although firefighters agree the best way to avoid similar incidents is to refrain from using fireworks at home, they’re urging those who do to make sure they take the necessary steps to remain safe.
U.S. & World
Parents who allow their children to play with fireworks, including sparklers, should make sure to keep a close eye on them at all times. Experts also recommend to always have a fire extinguisher or bucket of water on hand to quickly put out flames.