From smoke balls and sparklers to firecrackers and mortars, fireworks are a staple of many Fourth of July weekend festivities. But with the vast displays of these brightly colored pyrotechnics comes many safety risks, especially for children.
In Kansas City, nine children between the ages of 3 and 16 have been treated at Children’s Mercy Hospital since July 1 for fireworks injuries, said Senior Manager of Media Relations Lisa Augustine.
These numbers are part of a larger group of fireworks-related injuries that occur each year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 14,700 people were treated in emergency rooms for injuries resulting from fireworks in 2024. There were 11 deaths resulting from fireworks misuse or malfunction…