Wake Up Tri-Counties Sam Rux with OSF Healthcare Talks Fireworks Safety

Samantha Rux from OSF Healthcare joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to provide safety tips for fireworks use this Fourth of July. As Illinois gears up for Independence Day, safety experts are reminding residents that popular consumer fireworks like bottle rockets and Roman candles remain illegal under state law. However, even legal options such as sparklers and smoke bombs can pose serious risks. Nationally, the Consumer Product Safety Commission logged nearly 10,000 injuries and eight deaths from fireworks in 2023. Dr. Stathis Poulakidas from OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center warns that even sparklers, burning at around 1,800 degrees, can cause severe burns, especially to children. He urges everyone to leave fireworks to professionals and prioritize safety to prevent devastating injuries.