ST. LOUIS — As the Fourth of July weekend is near, St. Louis area leaders are advising residents to “leave fireworks to the professionals.” 

St. Louis City says it receives twice as many reported fires on Independence Day than other days with half of those calls related to fireworks.

Last year, fire dispatchers received 324 calls for service related to fireworks. 

“Fires caused by fireworks create a bigger burden for our first responders and put them in danger,” Fire Capt. Garon Mosby said. “Celebrate the 4th of July safely by attending the Fair St. Louis fireworks display Downtown or other safe, professionally produced shows.”

In 2021, Illinois hospitals and facilities reported 202 firework related injuries and one death during the July seasonal reporting period. In 2020, 89 hospitals reported 163 injuries during the same period, according to a press release from the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

Approximately 15% of firework-related injuries in the U.S. are to the eyes. Fireworks such as Roman candles, firecrackers and sparklers can cause major injuries to eyelids and eyeballs, according to SLUCare ophthalmologist Dr. Gabriela Espinoza.

“The firecrackers and especially the Roman candles can hit the eye and then cause a burn to the eyelid which can make it hard to open the eye. The blunt trauma to the eyeball itself can also cause bleeding essentially inside the eye and loss of vision,” she said.

These injuries are more common among children and teens aged 8-14 who are handling fireworks. Espinoza said children tend to play with Roman candles and intentionally aim them at each other. 

There are about a handful of patients annually who require surgery and also have lost sight because of firework-related injuries, according to Espinoza, where most of them are children. 

She said 95% of eye injuries can be prevented by wearing eye projection or glasses.

“It’s one of the things where wearing eye protection would prevent the grand majority of the injuries,” Espinoza said.

“If a firework does not explode, don’t get close to it to check it out because that’s when it can go off and cause you injury towards the face.”

She added that 30% of firework-related injuries nationwide are to hands and fingers.

“The eyes are very important and you can lose sight, but we also see a lot of hand and finger injuries from being too close holding onto fireworks,” she said.

In 2020, an estimated 15,600 people were treated in hospital emergency departments for fireworks injuries nationwide, according to a U.S. Consumer Product Commission analysis, 18 died from firework related incidents. In 2019, there were about 10,000 ER-treated firework injuries, and 12 firework-related deaths. 

“Consumer fireworks are potentially dangerous if there is a malfunction or if they are not used with safety in mind and with the proper precautions,” Missouri State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said in a statement. 

In 2018, approximately 19,500 fires started by fireworks were reported to local fire departments nationwide, according to the National Fire Protection Association, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires and 17,100 outside and other types of fires. 

Those fires resulted in five deaths, 46 injuries, and $105 million indirect property damage. 

“These fires are not only caused by commercial/consumer fireworks, but also by unregulated novelty fireworks that are sometimes purchased at local supermarkets,” according to the association. 

Earlier this month, there was a north St. Louis County home explosion where fire officials say four people were killed and others were injured while assembling fireworks in a garage.

Last year, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department issued 20 citations and arrested two people related to fireworks as it is illegal for city residents to set them off. 

SLMPD will continue to give citations for illegal fireworks, as well as will continue to focus on preventing violent crime. To report illegal firework usage, residents can call the non-emergency line at 314-231-1212.

For those who choose to use consumer fireworks should follow safety tips as stated on Missouri Department of Public Safety’s website:

  • Confirm fireworks are legal where you live; purchase fireworks only from licensed retailers.

  • Only use fireworks in a large open space that has been cleared of flammable materials.

  • Always keep young children away from fireworks; if teens are permitted to handle fireworks, they should be closely supervised by an adult; always wear eye protection.

  • Make sure to have a garden hose or a bucket of water nearby in case of a fire.

  • Only light fireworks one at a time; never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned

  • Dispose of fireworks by soaking them in water and leaving them in a trash can.

  • Never shoot fireworks off from a glass jar or container.

  • Never use fireworks while consuming alcohol.

  • Never store fireworks from season to season.