Watch the story of Michael Shannon, a three-year-old boy who was killed when a legal consumer firework struck him in the head during a July Fourth family celebration. Michael's parents and sister talk about their memories of Michael, the pain they've endured in the years since his death, and their hope that parents will understand the danger of consumer fireworks.
The City of Spokane has had a ban on all fireworks for the last 16 years. The fine is $513.
Here are some stats from the NFPA on the dangers of fireworks :
In 2005, fireworks caused an estimated 1,800 total structure fires and 700 vehicle fires reported to fire departments.
These 2,500 fires resulted in an estimated 60 civilian injuries and $39 million in direct property damage. There were no reported civilian deaths.
In 2006, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,200 people for fireworks related injuries.
49% of the injuries were to the extremities and 46% were to the head.
55% of the 2006 fireworks injuries were burns, while 30% were contusions and lacerations.
The risk of fireworks injury was two-and-a-half times as high for children ages 10-14 as for the general population.
In 2001-2005, an estimated 1 person per year was killed in reported fires started by fireworks, while 6 people per year were killed directly by fireworks.
On Independence Day in a typical year, more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.
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