As the Fourth of July approaches, Alabama’s first responders and medical professionals are gearing up for a potentially busy holiday weekend, urging residents to celebrate responsibly to avoid injuries and fires. Fireworks, a staple of Independence Day celebrations, pose significant risks, officials said.
“They are a lot of fun, but they are very dangerous. It just takes a split second for an injury to occur,” said Chief Brandon Dahlen of the Center Point Fire District. Popular fireworks such as fountains, Roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers, and sparklers all carry real risks.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency rooms have declined in recent years, with 9,700 injuries reported in 2023 compared to 15,600 in 2020. Despite the decrease, thousands of people are still injured each year across the country…