As retailers profit from pyro, consumers ask which way to the ER

Fireworks sales are expected to reach a record level this year and while reported injuries have declined seeking medical treatment is still a Fourth of July tradition for many.

The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) forecasts that consumer fireworks sales will reach a record level this year. Backyard fireworks have never been more popular or in more demand, according to APA, and despite the sluggish economy sales grew from $600 million in 2006 to $662 million in 2013.

“If sales remain strong through July 4, and the weather cooperates, consumer fireworks revenues could exceed $675 million for the 2014 fireworks season,” said Julie L. Heckman, APA’s executive director.

Demand for fireworks is driven in part by an on-going proliferation of state and local legislation to relax consumer fireworks laws and lift fireworks prohibitions, according to APA. Forty six states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico allow the sale and use of some types of consumer fireworks, according to the trade group. With more people shooting off more fireworks, injuries associated with the flaming explosive products remain high.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that there were 10,000 fireworks related injuries and 11 deaths in 2014 compared to 11,000 injuries and eight deaths the year before. Not surprisingly, the APA views accidents statistics through a broader more historical lens and characterizes the injury rate as declining dramatically.

The fireworks-related injury rate is 43% lower than it was in 2000, when the trend in relaxing consumer fireworks laws was first initiated, according to APA. The group also points to data released by the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System that indicates that since 2000, fireworks-related fires have declined by more than 50% and are among the lowest level in three decades.

“I cannot think of one other consumer product on the market today that has experienced such record-breaking growth in consumption, yet achieved such a sharp decline in both injuries and fires,” Heckman said. “While the number of fireworks-related injuries and fires have declined significantly, this is not the time for consumers to be lax about safety. Consumers should always keep safety top-of-mind by following common sense safety tips when using backyard fireworks as well as obeying all local fireworks laws.”