US Fireworks Injuries Fall Despite Record Consumption

The report recorded 13,004 fireworks-related injuries in 2025, down from 14,700 the previous year. Most incidents—roughly 73 percent—resulted in treated-and-released emergency room visits, though 25 percent of cases required hospital admission. Jay Howell, executive director of the AFSL, attributed the improved safety outcomes to decades of stricter product standards, consumer education, and consistent industry investment in testing compliance.

Despite the positive trend, the data highlights a persistent danger linked to illegal explosives and homemade devices. These unauthorized items are disproportionately responsible for the most severe trauma, including amputations, fractures, and fatalities. In 2025, the laboratory tracked 24 fatalities, noting that a significant portion involved the misuse of illicit or homemade products rather than compliant consumer goods. Since its founding in 1989, the organization has tested over 183 million cases of fireworks, rejecting approximately 13.5 million that failed to meet its voluntary safety benchmarks.