With Independence Day just a few days away, local organizations and municipalities are encouraging people to be safe and mindful when using fireworks.
Last year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported 11 deaths and almost 15,000 injuries nationally due to firework misuse and malfunction.
This was an increase of about 38% in deaths and about 52% in injuries compared to 2023.
The most common injuries were burns, with fingers and hands being the most frequently injured body parts.
In a statement, Department of Health State Injury Prevention Program Coordinator Heather Kirlough said, “During the holiday weekend and beyond, South Carolinians should be aware of the dangers of firework-related injuries and take proper precautions.”
To combat injuries this year, CPSC and DPH both recommended keeping fireworks out of reach of children, having water nearby, and lighting fireworks one at a time.
They said you should never point fireworks at anyone or use them under the influence.
It’s also important to be mindful of military veterans this holiday weekend.
Fireworks can negatively impact military veterans by triggering anxiety, flashbacks, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
“Sometimes, what we think are very common practices in our community can be a negative experience for other members of our society,” said Nikki Wooten, an army veteran and associate professor at the University of South Carolina.
She said the bright lights, loud noises, and debris leftover from fireworks can remind military veterans of gunfire or explosions, which can then trigger a physical, mental, or emotional response.
Wooten has three tips for veterans to help with potentially negative responses: know what triggers you, know how you respond to those triggers, and develop a coping plan.
“When a military service member is triggered, they can go into fight, flight, or freeze mode,” she said.
And part of developing a coping plan is to have people who support you and understand what to do during each of these responses. Those people can be friends, family, fellow veterans, or even coworkers.
There are also lots of websites and apps available through the Department of Veteran Affairs that provide guidance and information for those struggling with triggers.
Wooten also recommends meditation, calming music, and deep breathing videos to reduce anxiety and remain grounded.
Local organizations around South Carolina are planning events for military veterans in case they need a distraction from the noise.
Hidden Wounds, a nonprofit based in Sumter, is setting up 12 locations across South Carolina for veterans to go if they need a distraction on July 4.
“We recommend that they find a safe place that they can go and just hunker down with their loved ones to get away from [the fireworks],” Executive Director Lance Newman said.
For a list of locations, you can call (803) 660-HELP before 8:00 p.m. on Thursday.
