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In the United States, fireworks are practically synonymous with the Fourth of July. As you might expect, the sales and consumption of – as well as the injuries and deaths associated with – fireworks peak around the Fourth of July each year.
While this data helps illustrate how ubiquitous fireworks are on the holiday, they don’t tell us much about how Americans think about and use them on Independence Day. However, Google Trends can bridge that gap and allow a unique insight into the public’s interests and concerns.
Naturally, Google search interest around the topic of fireworks peaks in the days leading up to the Fourth of July. Using the Google Trends API, we created a list of related search terms to find out when search interest peaks around the topics of fireworks and fireworks safety.
The results are a pretty interesting timeline of search interest in the days leading up to and following the Fourth of July.
Without the right safety precautions, fireworks can be very unpredictable, and so, extremely dangerous. Fortunately, Americans start searching the keywords “fireworks safety” days before the Fourth of July, with interest peaking on the evening of the holiday. Hopefully, that prepares them to handle the fireworks safely.
As expected, people tend to lose interest in the topic after the holiday is over.
Every year, Americans spend more than one billion dollars on fireworks – the majority of which are purchased during the Fourth of July holiday. Interestingly, Google search trends show that most Americans wait until the very last minute to buy them. While there is an initial spike of interest on June 3rd, Google search interest peaks around 5 p.m. on the 4th – likely when people are panic searching to find fireworks right before they need them.
After searching firework safety and where to buy fireworks, Americans then search the firework laws in their area – peaking at around 7 p.m. on the 4th. We’d like to think that consumers are checking the law before purchasing fireworks. But it is also possible that these searches aren’t by consumers, but are driven up by annoyed neighbors wondering if the fireworks they are hearing are even allowed.
In Arizona, certain types of fireworks are permitted for year-round sale and use, while others are permitted only seasonally. Those considered unsafe for at-home use are prohibited by Arizona law. Penalties for illegal use include fines that vary by location. For more information on which fireworks are legal or illegal in Arizona, take a look at this chart. Arizona’s wildfire season is expected to be especially severe this year, so make sure to take extra precautions.
People consistently search for “noise ordinance” every morning and evening, but the peak on the evening of the Fourth of July is higher than any other day. This peak also coincides with the search interest in firework law.
Many believe that quiet fireworks or silent fireworks are a promising option. Silent fireworks are just as colorful but would reduce the noise and anxiety. A town in Italy has passed a law that requires all fireworks displays to be silent.
Firework noise affects more than just people; it affects our pets. Dogs hear much higher frequencies than we can as humans. They can hear up to 60,000hz while we can only hear 20,000hz. As a result, Google searches peak at around 11 p.m. on the Fourth of July, as anxious dog owners search for ways to soothe their best friend. A psychologist from the University of Washington makes a few suggestions, including removing the dog from the situation, treating the dog with an anxiety wrap, or finding the right anti-anxiety drug.
Not only are the sounds of fireworks disruptive, but they can also cause real damage to the sensory receptors in the inner ear. Interestingly, searches for hearing loss peak early in the morning of the 4th, before most firework shows begin. This could be because people are already in an anxious state – knowing what’s to come. For veterans or survivors of gun violence, fireworks don’t always feel celebratory but may trigger an episode of PTSD.
According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association, sounds louder than 85 decibels can cause permanent hearing loss – whether or not exposure is prolonged. This is alarming, as fireworks that are three feet away can produce 150 decibels of sound or greater.
Whether or not fireworks can create a loss of hearing depends on two factors: distance and how loud the type of fireworks really are. However, it can never hurt to play it safe by wearing earplugs and standing a farther distance than you think.
Burns are the most common injury related to fireworks. According to the CPSC, in 2019: About 57 percent of firework-related injuries were burns. Out of that, 30 percent were burns to the hands and fingers, 23 percent were burns to the legs, and 16 percent were burns to the head, face and ears. This is clearly reflected in the Google search trends. Searches for burn treatment dramatically increase in the late hours of July 4th – the peak interest coming at 11 p.m.
Fireworks and alcohol don’t mix, but they often go hand in hand, unfortunately. In fact, the Fourth of July is considered one of the booziest holidays of the year, with an average of 3.8 drinks consumed per person on the holiday every year. Even if no injuries resulted, people would still feel the effects of their drinking the next day. Searches for “hangover cure” are high throughout the Fourth of July weekend but peak in the early morning of July 5th – proof of binge drinking or overconsumption on the 4th.
Do Americans search more for firework safety or burn treatment? We’re relieved that Americans in most states are interested more in learning about firework safety than in how to treat burns. Residents in 16 states – including Arizona – googled “burn treatment” more often than “fireworks safety,” compared to the residents of 24 states that were more interested in firework safety. Americans in 10 states had an equal interest in both.
Americans love celebrating Independence Day with fireworks, and it shows in their Google searches in the days surrounding the holiday. However, the trends also show how prevalent the health and safety risks associated with fireworks are. If you plan to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks this year, please make sure to :
For more safety tips and precautions, check out this guide.