The separate incidents highlight the danger associated with fireworks.
The Fourth of July is a time for celebration around the country, as millions of Americans gather to barbecue and watch fireworks in celebration of the country's independence.
Most celebrations go on without issue, but every year there are stories of July 4 celebrations that end in tragedy. Unfortunately, this year is no different as three people have died after accidents related to fireworks.
A 13-year-old boy, an 8-year-old girl and a 70-year-old man all died after various incidents over the Fourth of July weekend.
The 13-year-old boy died in Minnesota after a firework he held in a tube away from his body shot out from the opposite end and struck him in the chest. The local sheriff's office said that the boy fell to the ground and that bystanders performed chest compressions, but that their efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.
The 8-year-old girl was killed by an "illegal fireworks display" in Los Angeles. Officers said they saw "a large quantity of fireworks detonate in the area" and people frantically running to find help for the child. The officers stopped to help, but the girl would later be pronounced dead at the hospital.
The 70-year-old man died in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. A firework hit him in the face.
Witnesses say the man, identified as Robert Spagnuolo, was setting off fireworks on the beach when one exploded in his face, leading to severe and traumatic injuries.
Data from he Consumer Product Safety Commission says that injuries and deaths related to fireworks were up 52% and 38% last year, respectively.
"Behind these numbers are real people, real families ‒ and often, preventable incidents," said CPAC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman.
"Fireworks injuries don't just happen on the Fourth of July. We urge everyone to celebrate responsibly ‒ because safety must always come first."
Roughly 20% of the nearly 15,000 fireworks-related injuries required hospitalization last year. 1,700 of those were burns from sparklers, which are often given to children as "less dangerous" options than other fireworks.
Injuries to the hands and fingers, as well as to the face and ears, were responsible for the overwhelming majority of the data.
For next Fourth of July, hopefully more Americans will choose to watch professional displays from a safe distance. It could be a life-saving decision.
