JACKSON — The State Fire Marshal’s Office encourages firework safety this Independence Day. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, injuries from fireworks have increased overall between 2008 and 2023.
In 2024, there were approximately 10,000 firework-related emergency room visits and 18 reported deaths, making it the worst year ever recorded. Thirty-six percent of victims, were under 15 years old, and 15% of all injuries led to permanent damage or disfigurement.
Legal actions have followed several high-profile firework injury cases through the years, including multimillion-dollar settlements in California and Texas. Costs for treatment were as costly as over $150,000, prompting calls for enhanced safety education, stricter regulations, and improved public awareness…