Our study indicates that Americans should celebrate the holiday responsibly to avoid ending up in the hospital. Here are the top 10 product-related risks during the July Fourth weekend, ranked by the increase in hospital visits compared to normal spring and summer weekends, based on our findings.
1. Fireworks
Fireworks are visually appealing but can be dangerous. They were the leading product-related risk during the Fourth of July weekend in 2023. There was a significant 2,286% increase in hospital visits due to fireworks during the holiday weekend compared to an average weekend in spring or summer. This is not surprising, considering that fireworks are a central part of most Fourth of July celebrations.
The data we analyzed showed instances of severe burns, facial lacerations, trauma, and other serious injuries. For example, a 21-year-old man sustained burns to his face and neck after a rocket exploded, a 41-year-old woman sustained burns to her hand from a sparkler explosion, and an 8-year-old boy suffered abrasions and an eye injury after approaching a non-exploded firework near a firework stand. When he got closer, the firework exploded, causing his injuries. According to the CPSC report, there were 11 fireworks-related deaths in 2022.
2. Shuffleboard
Shuffleboard injuries might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about the Fourth of July. However, shuffleboard injuries increased by 877% over the holiday weekend in 2023 compared to a regular spring or summer weekend that year. The nature of injuries varied from person to person. An 84-year-old ended up in the hospital with chest pain after playing the game outside in the heat. CPSC data revealed that 74 people suffered serious injuries related to shuffleboard.
3. Solid room deodorizers
While a clean home that smells nice is inviting, people should be cautious about what they use to create pleasant fragrances in their homes. Solid room deodorizers can be particularly risky. These products ranked third on our list, with a 364% increase in related injuries on the Fourth of July compared to an average weekend.
CPSC data showed that a 25-year-old woman ended up in the hospital after cutting her hand while cleaning a wax melt warmer with a knife. Room fragrance devices should be handled with care, especially around children. Last year, a 6-year-old boy went to the hospital after a soft air freshener bead ended up in his ear.
Many people use room deodorizers in aerosol cans to keep their homes smelling fresh and clean. Although the specific ingredients in the containers were not specified in the NEISS data, aerosol containers were responsible for an estimated 111 serious injuries resulting in hospitalization, a hospital transfer, or death during last year’s Fourth of July weekend.
4. Drapery or curtain rods
Before updating your home with new curtains for your upcoming Fourth of July party, remember to take extra precautions. Everyday household tasks, such as hanging drapery or curtain rods, result in more injuries than you might realize.
Last year, an estimated 54 people were hospitalized due to injuries related to hanging drapery or curtain rods during the July Fourth weekend, a 363% increase from the usual. Barmparas informed ConsumerAffairs that accidents caused by household items are not uncommon.
“They are one of the most common causes of injuries we see. A very high proportion of my patients get injured at their own home, doing routine things, such as cooking, hanging lights on the roof, or even taking a shower,” he said. “You must always stay vigilant and be proactive, no matter what you do, no matter how familiar or routine the task is for you. This is especially true for elderly patients who may have balance issues or slower reaction times to potential risks.”
5. Pressure cookers or canners
You can’t celebrate America’s birthday without a large spread of food. Many people use outdoor grills to barbecue on the Fourth of July. Surprisingly, grills were not the most dangerous item used for food preparation on the July Fourth weekend in 2023 – pressure cookers and canners were.
Pressure cookers and canners were the most dangerous kitchen items used during last year’s Fourth of July weekend. They sent an estimated 149 people to the hospital, more than four times higher than on an average weekend. Pressure cookers can be particularly hazardous due to the risk of severe burns. A study published in 2024 found that many injuries occur from prematurely opening the lid.
“Despite the widespread use of pressure cookers for quick and efficient cooking, literature has insufficiently highlighted the potential dangers resulting from inappropriate handling,” the authors stated.
6. Personal protection devices
Concern for personal safety leads many people to purchase and possess devices like pepper spray and firearms. Accidents with these devices sent an estimated 228 people to the hospital during last year’s holiday. There was a noticeable increase in injuries (340%) from these devices during the 2023 holiday weekend compared to an average spring or summer weekend.
One incident occurred when a 4-year-old found a pepper spray canister in the backseat of a car and sprayed themselves in the face, resulting in chemical burns to the eyes, according to NEISS data. Another incident involved a 13-year-old boy who went to the hospital for chemical exposure to his eyes after being sprayed with bear spray. A 46-year-old man suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the hand after accidentally shooting himself.
7. Water tubing
Fun on the water is an essential part of the Fourth of July celebration. People of all ages enjoy swimming, boating, and water tubing on Independence Day. However, these water activities can lead to unexpected injuries that can spoil your holiday.
Last year, injuries from water sports, particularly water tubing, occurred four times more frequently than usual during the July Fourth weekend. A 28-year-old woman suffered a perforated eardrum resulting in hearing loss after water forced into her ear when she fell off a tube in a lake, according to NEISS data. Another incident involved a 22-year-old male dislocating his shoulder and a 19-year-old male suffering a perforated eardrum after hitting his head on the right side when thrown from a tube.
Adults were not the only ones injured in the water. A 10-year-old boy experienced cervical muscle spasms after tweaking his neck while water tubing, a 16-year-old boy sustained a concussion and eye injury after being kneed in the left eye, and a 13-year-old female experienced a potentially life-threatening condition called hemomediastinum after colliding with someone else on a water tube.
8. Billiards or pool
As the day progresses, family gatherings and parties often move indoors, especially when seeking respite from the Fourth of July heat. However, beloved indoor activities like billiards can still pose risks. The eighth most common injury on our list is related to billiards. There was a 248% increase in billiards-related injuries during the July Fourth weekend in 2023 compared to an average spring or summer weekend in the same year.
Pool players often suffer back injuries, sprains, or herniated discs due to the bending involved in the game. Players may also experience injuries to their hand tendons, ligaments, and nerves, as they are used repetitively during the game.
9. Ice skating equipment
Ice skating is not just a winter event at Rockefeller Center; it is also a popular summer pastime. Vacation destinations like the Poconos in Pennsylvania offer year-round ice skating, and many families enjoy it on America’s birthday. Yet, this fun activity can come with a cost. Last year, there was a 222% increase in injuries around July Fourth compared to an average spring or summer weekend. Many of the injuries were due to falls, according to NEISS data.
It is crucial to be safe while ice skating, as injuries are not uncommon. Between 2002 and 2021, over 400,000 injuries were linked to the activity, according to a study published in 2023. Kristen Eirvin, the figure skating director at Sherwood Ice Arena in Sherwood, Oregon, mentioned that wrist, ankle, and head injuries are quite common.
“In our learn-to-skate classes, we always teach how to fall and get up properly and safety tips,” she explained. “Go slow and take your time. Put your hands on your knees to check your balance. We do recommend wearing helmets if you haven’t ice skated before to protect yourself. Everybody that’s new should be wearing a helmet.”
10. Portable tools
Preparing your home for guests for a Fourth of July party often involves using power tools. While you may not consider the dangers of using a table saw or drill, these items can result in an unexpected trip to the emergency room.
Accidents related to power tools, drills, and accessories ranked tenth on our list. There was a 203% surge in power tool-related injuries during the 2023 July Fourth weekend compared to an average spring or summer weekend. They were estimated to be responsible for 135 hospital visits.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides plenty of tips on tool safety and hazard prevention to help prevent these injuries. The agency recommends wearing eye or face protection, turning off tools when not in use, avoiding using tools in an explosive or flammable atmosphere, and never carrying a tool by the cord.
Fireworks are more dangerous than people realize
As indicated by our list, fireworks-related injuries were a significant cause of hospital visits in the U.S. over the Fourth of July weekend in 2023. According to the CPSC, these festive but hazardous explosives caused over 10,000 injuries and 11 deaths in 2022. Some of the specific incidents ConsumerAffairs discovered by examining CPSC data were tragic.
For instance, on July 4, 2023, a 12-year-old girl sustained burns to her neck and shoulder after being hit by a Roman candle, resulting in first- and second-degree burns. On the same day, an 8-year-old girl experienced a thermal burn injury to her left eye while playing with a small flying spinner firework, and a 45-year-old woman had multiple fingers amputated on both hands after a large firework she was holding exploded. These are just three of the over 1,000 fireworks-related accidents last year.
“Fireworks injuries can range from minor to life-threatening,” Barmparas stated. “Specific injuries caused by fireworks that we see include finger or hand amputations, large soft tissue injuries, eye injuries, facial burns, and even genital injuries from fireworks that unexpectedly explode in the patient’s pocket.”
Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the commissioner of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, emphasized the pronounced danger of fireworks-related injuries, including severe burns and injuries to the eyes, head, face, and hands, over the holiday weekend. New York City had an estimated 36 fireworks-related emergency room visits in 2023, slightly higher than the annual average of 33 between 2017 and 2022, according to the commissioner.
“Consumer fireworks are illegal in New York City. But wherever you live, they are dangerous,” Vasan cautioned. “In New York City, we have one of the most spectacular July Fourth fireworks displays in the world. Many towns and cities also put on a terrific show. The technical experts who organize these events know what they’re doing, so leave it to them.”
Use caution when celebrating the Fourth of July
The Fourth of July is associated with festivities and enjoyment, but some products and activities increase the risk of injuries and hospitalizations. Some activities not mentioned in our top 10 list include popular pastimes like swimming and mountain biking, which caused 965 and 246 hospital visits over the Fourth of July weekend last year, respectively.
Dr. JJ Hoff, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Duke University, advised parents to closely monitor their children around fireworks and sparklers. “Anytime you have an incendiary object that you’re holding in your hand, those sparks can pop off and ignite clothing and household objects and lead to burn injuries. About 28% of firework injuries happen to children 14 and under. Children should never be anywhere near a firework being detonated,” he emphasized.
Barmparas echoed these sentiments, stressing that fireworks are very dangerous and should only be used under the right conditions.
“Fireworks are not toys. They can be very dangerous when not used correctly. Always do it outdoors in a very open area, and far away from anything flammable,” he advised.
Barmparas also noted that consumers should keep sparklers away from their bodies and avoid using them in a crowd. Keeping fireworks in your pocket can also be hazardous, as friction from rubbing fabric could cause them to detonate. Finally, he recommended ensuring proper disposal of fireworks after use.
The Department of Homeland Security has published additional tips on firework safety that consumers can read about here.
Methodology
ConsumerAffairs analyzed 2023 data on product- and activity-related injuries resulting in hospital visits in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. The dataset includes a sample of all U.S. hospital data, and each record was assigned a corresponding weight to calculate national estimates of injuries.
ConsumerAffairs ranked the products and activities based on the percentage increase in hospital visits over the July Fourth weekend in 2023 compared to other weekends in the spring and summer of 2023. Products appearing in the data didn’t necessarily cause the injuries listed but were involved in the incidents in some way.
This story was produced by ConsumerAffairs and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.
