As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day, emergency room doctors are reminding families to take precautions when using fireworks, especially around children and teens. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), nearly 10,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries in 2023. Eight deaths were reported. Burns accounted for more than 40% of those injuries. The most common injuries involved firecrackers and sparklers, with hands, fingers, head, face and neck being the most frequently affected areas. The CPSC found that about 20% of fireworks tested failed to meet safety standards, citing issues such as faulty fuses, banned chemicals and excessive explosive materials. Consumers are encouraged to purchase only legal fireworks from licensed and reputable sellers. Doctors say two-thirds of fireworks injuries occur in the weeks before and after the July 4 holiday. To learn more or find emergency care nearest you, visit HCAFloridaHealthcare.com.