Each July 4th, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.
Fireworks fire & injury facts
- Fireworks started an estimated 31,302 fires in 2022, including 3,504 structure fires, 887 vehicle fires, 26,492 outside fires, and 418 unclassified fires. These fires caused an estimated six civilian deaths, 44 civilian injuries and $109M in direct property damage. (Note: Total may not equal sum because of rounding error.)
- In 2022, U.S hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 10,200 people for fireworks related injuries; Over half of those injuries were to the extremities (29% hands and fingers, 19% legs, 5% arms) and 35% were to the eyes or other parts of the head.
- Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 28% of the estimated 2022 injuries. These injury estimates were obtained or derived from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2022 Fireworks Annual Report.
Source: NFPA Research Division
New legislation makes exploding fireworks legal only on private property during certain hours on July 3, July 4, and Dec. 31.
The City of Ames' ban on fireworks remains in effect except for the following specific dates and times:
- On July 3 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. (or 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. if July 3 is a Saturday or Sunday)
- On July 4 between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
- From 9 a.m. on Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1
Property Use Restrictions
The use of consumer fireworks is restricted to private property. To legally explode fireworks, the person exploding fireworks must own the property or have the consent of the owner to use consumer fireworks on that property.
Exploding of consumer fireworks is prohibited on public property. This includes property:
- Owned by the City such as parks, streets, sidewalks, trails, and rights-of-way
- Owned by the Ames Community School District including school grounds, practice fields, and offices
- Owned by Iowa State University including campus, residence halls, and parking lots
- Any other public property within City limits.
Enforcement
Fireworks use is strictly limited to the dates and times specified. Any use outside these parameters is illegal and will be enforced. A violation of these fireworks provisions is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $250.
The use of fireworks on public property remains prohibited at all times and will result in citations.