Each July Fourth, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.

Facts & figures

• In 2006, fireworks caused an estimated 32,600 reported fires, including 1,700 total structure fires, 600 vehicle fires, and 30,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated 6 civilian deaths, 70 civilian injuries and $34 million in direct property damage.
• In 2007, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,800 people for fireworks related injuries; 56% of 2007 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 36% were to the head.
• The risk of fireworks injury was two-and-a-half times as high for children ages 5-9 or 10-14 as for the general population.
• On Independence Day in a typical year, more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

Carlock Fire and EMS responded Wednesday afternoon to 19772 E. 1100 North Road, about four miles southeast of Carlock for the report of a male that had been struck by an ultralight aircraft.

From the Pantagraph ---

CARLOCK -- The FAA is expected to investigate an incident involving an ultralight airplane that injured an onlooker during takeoff Wednesday afternoon southeast of Carlock, officials said.

Mitchell Durfeldt, 53, was filming the T-Bird II airplane from the ground when he was struck in the head by one of the plane’s tires, police said. Durfeldt, who was apparently knocked unconscious, was taken to BroMenn Regional Medical Center, Normal. He was listed in serious condition Wednesday night.

The plane’s pilot, Daniel Fasking, 28, of Bloomington, was also taken to BroMenn, but McLean County sheriff’s police said he was uninjured. Police said the incident has been forwarded to the FAA for further investigation.

The ultralight plane is large enough — 500 to 600 pounds without fuel — that the FAA is expected to investigate, said FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro.

The plane, manufactured in 1992, is registered to D.M. Fasking of Bloomington. FAA registration information on pilot Daniel Fasking was unavailable due to a privacy request, according to Molinaro.

The incident occurred at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday at 19772 E. 1100 North Road, about four miles southeast of Carlock. Police said Thursday that neither men involved own the property.

The ultralight was in the front farmyard of the rural Carlock residence as sheriff’s police investigated the scene.