Missouri leads nation in fireworks spending, but safety remains a concern
Mitchell Kaminski
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
As Independence Day approaches, Missourians are lighting up the sky — and the nation’s spending charts.
Fireworks sales at seasonal retailers began on Friday, marking the start of one of the busiest and most-explosive stretches of the year.
According to U.S. trade data from Lending Tree, Missouri imported $85.7 million worth of fireworks in 2024, the most per capita in the country at $13.84 per resident. That’s well ahead of other fireworks-friendly states like Kansas ($8.79) and Nebraska ($7.02). Missouri also ranks ninth in the nation for fireworks exports, accounting for 1.7% of all U.S. shipments.
“Missouri has a reputation amongst all the states as being fireworks-friendly,” said Bob Gerau, who has ran Bob’s Fireworks since 2005 and has been in the industry since 1965.
“When you get out of Missouri, because we have the competition here, the prices go through the roof, things that I sell for $30 to $60, 500 grams, you get up in Indiana, you can’t buy in for less than $100,” he said
Gerau said the fireworks business can be costly to run, with tent setups alone costing upwards of $10,000. That’s why he opts to operate a brick-and-mortar shop, allowing him to sell fireworks year-round.
Still, he says the payoff is about more than just profit.
“Kids come in this year, everybody gets a free frog (a type of firework),” Gerau said. “Dad can walk out with a hundred bucks worth of fireworks, but the kid’s got a frog and he is happier than what dad just bought because of his frog. And I love it. I just love to see that.”
Missouri’s recently updated some of its firework regulations, but its relaxed laws compared to other states help fuel sales. The legal age to buy fireworks in the state is 16 years old, and seasonal sales are permitted between June 20-July 10. As of June 16, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety had issued 1,127 permits to seasonal fireworks retailers.
But with fireworks comes risk.
“Across the U.S., Independence Day is the busiest day of the year for fires, and we’re also entering the time of year when the vast majority of fireworks injuries occur,” State Fire Marshal Tim Bean said in a press release. “If you choose to use consumer fireworks, do so cautiously.”
In 2024, Missouri hospitals treated 328 people for fireworks-related injuries. Of those, 81% occurred between June 21-July 11. The majority were treated and released from the emergency room, but 37 people required in-patient care.
Nationwide, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that eight people died and 9,700 were treated for fireworks injuries in 2023. Children younger than 15 years old accounted for 31% of those injuries.
At Spirit of ‘76 Fireworks, assistant manager Rose Walker said business has stayed strong since a pandemic-era boom.
“We had the big boom in fireworks after COVID because people wanted to do something. So they came to the tent,” she said. “And from there, it’s just been something people love to do.”
Walker said artillery shells are among the store’s best-sellers—but she’s also seen what happens when customers aren’t careful.
“Fireworks are fun, but they are very dangerous as well,” she said. “A lot of people have a big ego going into fireworks until they blow their hand off… Safety is just a big thing for our brand. We want to sell cool products, but also keep our customers in mind.”
She said the biggest mistakes she sees involve improper setup.
“One of the biggest things I’ve seen is just not bracing your cakes or artillery shells,” Walker said. “Things can go wrong very badly, very quickly.”
To avoid injuries, the Missouri Division of Fire Safety recommends the following:
Only buy from licensed retailers and confirm fireworks are legal in your area.
Light fireworks in a cleared, open area away from flammable materials.
Supervise teenagers and never allow young children to handle fireworks.
Never consume alcohol while using fireworks.
Keep water nearby, light one firework at a time, and properly dispose of used fireworks.
“We encourage folks to take advantage of public fireworks displays,” Bean said. “But if you do choose to use consumer fireworks, follow the instructions and take safety seriously.”More safety tips can be found at dfs.dps.mo.gov/safetytips/fireworks-safety.php. For questions, contact the Division of Fire Safety at (573) 751-2930.