AFSL Launches Annual Fireworks Injury Report, Reinforces Commitment to Safety and Standards

CHEVY CHASE, Md., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Fireworks Standards Laboratory (AFSL), the nation's leading independent fireworks safety and standards organization, has launched its inaugural Annual Fireworks Injury Report for 2024, reinforcing its longstanding mission to enhance consumer safety through testing, oversight, and data transparency.

Founded in 1989, AFSL provides the most rigorous testing standards in the industry, voluntarily adopted by responsible importers committed to consumer safety. AFSL standards often exceed federal requirements and are used as a benchmark by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) itself. Each year, AFSL tests approximately 70% of all consumer fireworks imported into the United States, rejecting unsafe or noncompliant products before they reach the public.

With the CPSC discontinuing its annual fireworks injury report in 2023, AFSL stepped in to fill the gap, using the same government data sources and statistical methods to maintain consistency and reliability. While the data does not directly identify illegal or overloaded devices, AFSL remains concerned that the rising share of untested and uncertified products—comprising a significant share of all imports not tested by AFSL—poses a growing threat to public safety.

"We continue to see evidence of untested and illegal fireworks, including overloaded reloadable aerial shells and improperly labeled devices, being sold to consumers," said Jay Howell, Executive Director of AFSL and former CPSC staff member. "These illegal products do not meet federal safety requirements, are not traceable, and can result in catastrophic injury or death."

Key Safety Findings from the 2024 Injury Report

• An estimated 14,741 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2024.
• 76% of injuries were minor and treated on site, while 22% required hospitalization.
• 19 fatalities were reported, including 4 deaths resulting from individuals launching fireworks from the head, chest, or hand—primarily involving reloadable aerial shells.
• Adults aged 30+ accounted for 42% of all injuries.
• Sparklers and small devices continued to account for a significant share of minor injuries, with a notable increase last year among older users.

To view or download the full 2024 Fireworks Injury Report, visit www.afsl.org.

While most injuries were minor, the report emphasizes that misuse—particularly with reloadable devices—is the leading cause of severe injury. AFSL cautions against launching any device from the body, throwing fireworks, using fireworks while impaired, or purchasing items from unlicensed or unknown sellers.

"When fireworks are tested to the standards and used properly, they are remarkably safe," Howell noted. "But we cannot ignore the fact that the testing of nearly a third of all imported product covers only the minimum requirements, at best, with a significant number being imported without any testing. That gap leaves room for dangerous, illegal devices to enter the market, often disguised as legitimate consumer fireworks."

AFSL's Ongoing Safety Priorities

AFSL's testing program has reviewed more than 83 million cases of fireworks since 2015, rejecting over 4.4 million cases due to safety concerns. Consumer fireworks tested by AFSL are compliant with all federal regulations and safe when used as directed. However, AFSL remains alarmed by increasing reports of professional-grade or overloaded fireworks reaching consumers through informal or illegal channels.

In response, AFSL is expanding its public outreach to promote the following guidance:

• Only purchase from licensed, reputable sellers.
• Follow all local and state laws governing use.
• Never use fireworks while impaired.
• Never modify or relight defective products.
• Never launch any device from your body.

AFSL's annual injury report will now serve as an ongoing tool for data-backed insight and recommendations for regulators, public safety officials, and the general public.

About AFSL

The American Fireworks Standards Laboratory (AFSL) is a nonprofit, independent organization founded in 1989 to improve the safety of consumer fireworks sold in the U.S. Through voluntary but widely adopted testing—primarily at manufacturing sites in China and Cambodia, with additional work in Brazil, Thailand, and Mexico—AFSL helps ensure products meet or exceed federal safety standards. AFSL covers about 70% of all imported consumer fireworks and is committed to advancing safety through independent testing, industry education, and public outreach. The launch of its new annual injury report extends this mission, offering data-driven insights to support safer celebrations nationwide.

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SOURCE American Fireworks Standards Laboratory (AFSL)