The Kirksville Fire Department says fireworks can be fun, but it’s important to remember they can also be dangerous. An estimated 14,700 people were injured by fireworks last year – a sharp increase of about 52% in injuries, respectively, compared to 2023. There were an estimated 1,700 emergency room-treated injuries in 2024 involving sparklers. Adults ages 25 to 44 accounted for the largest share of reported injuries (32%), followed by people ages 15 to 24 (24%). The most frequently injured body parts were hands and fingers (36%) and head, face, and ears (22%). Burns were the most common injury, making up 37% of all emergency room visits.