A new study shows that since Michigan relaxed their fireworks laws, the number of serious accidents has doubled. The research comes from the University of Michigan and was lead by Dr. Kevin Chung, a hand surgeon.
“I was on call for four days and July 4th I was in the operating room almost around the clock and this year, we had two very bad fireworks injuries, but these are peppered throughout the year. It’s not just July 4th. It is anytime people have access to fireworks, we see them.”
From 2005 to 2011, the last year certain fireworks were illegal in Michigan, 81 patients came to U-M for fireworks-related emergency care. From 2012 to 2018, that number jumped to 160.