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A Florida police bomb squad used explosives on various household items to educate the public about fireworks dangers ahead of July Fourth.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Bomb Squad demonstrated the potential harm fireworks can inflict on the human body, using explosives similar to an M-80 on a paint can, cantaloupe, and watermelon.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and Broward Health released a video of the demonstration to educate the community about safety and address common fireworks-related injuries.
“The Fourth of July is one of the busiest times of year for our emergency departments,” said Dr. Robert Chisholm, an emergency physician at Broward Health. “We typically see an increase in visits due to fireworks and sparkler injuries, dehydration and heat-related illnesses, food poisoning, severe sunburns, and alcohol-related accidents.”
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Officials also tested sparklers on raw chicken to show what kind of injuries the hand-held firework can cause to human skin.
Raw chicken is seen charred after coming into contact with a lit sparkler. (Broward Health)
Fireworks-related injuries and deaths typically spike around the holiday.
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urged caution last week, reporting 11 fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 14,700 injuries last year. Most deaths involved misuse or device malfunctions.
Fireworks shredded a paint can during the demonstration. (Broward Health)
According to the CPSC, deaths increased 38% in 2024 compared to the previous year, while injuries spiked 52% during the same period.
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Sparklers accounted for about 1,700 emergency room visits in 2024, the CPSC noted.