Fireworks Cause Over 5,000 Injuries Every Year

Here's your yearly reminder that the 4th of July can cause some major injuries thanks to fireworks.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has released new figures on Emergency Room visits during the time of June 22 and July 22. The report estimates that nearly 8,700 during the time period in 2012 were caused by fireworks related accidents. There were also 17 deaths reported.

About 200 people visit the ER around the 4th of July holiday. Most of the injuries happen due to malfunctioning fireworks. Other injuries comes from one person lighting the firework too close to another or holding a lit firework too long.

The injuries include burns to the hands, head, and face. Most of these injuries caused by Sparklers and Bottle Rockets. Think Sparklers are just a kiddie firework? They can burn up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit; which is the equivalent of a blow torch.

Andrew Sama, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, has this advise for anyone thinking of playing with fireworks this year:

The safest and only thing you should do is watch a professional fireworks display managed by experts who have proper training and experience handling these explosives.