RALEIGH, N.C. – While fireworks can be a blast, the celebrations send nearly 200 North Carolinians a year to the emergency department, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

What You Need To Know

  • On average, there are 197 emergency department visits due to fireworks-related injuries in North Carolina each year, according to the NCDHHS

  • Any fireworks that explode or project into the air are illegal in North Carolina

  • Fireworks cause an estimated $59 million in direct property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association

In North Carolina, any fireworks that leave the ground, spin or detonate are illegal and a safety risk, according to Durham Fire Chief Robert Zoldos II.

“You can't go a single year in North Carolina without reading about a structure fire that was started by fireworks,” Zoldos said. “So, it's something that we all want to be safe about. Burns account for 44% of the injuries seen around July 4 across the nation.”

Even common fireworks like snakes and sparklers can be dangerous, producing heat to about 1,800 degrees.

“Even the legal ones can start fires and hurt people if they're mishandled. That's why, you know, you need adult supervision with these,” Zoldos said.

To avoid the danger or fines for firing off illegal fireworks, the chief recommends seeing one of the many professional fireworks shows around the state.

The city of Durham is putting on a show after the Durham Bulls game on Tuesday night at the ballpark. Zoldos says you can go even if you don’t have a ticket for the game — just head to the park at the bottom of the seventh inning.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks started an estimated 12,264 fires in 2021, including 2,082 structure fires, 316 vehicle fires, and 9,866 outside and other fires. The report shows those fires caused 29 injuries and $59 million in property damage.

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