Fireworks Sales Expected to Surge Ahead of July Fourth as Officials Stress Safety

Vendors anticipate last-minute rush while Pigeon Forge firefighters warn of injuries and fires linked to holiday celebrations

By SMOKIES.LIVE Staff

(SEYMOUR, Tenn.) — Fireworks vendors across Seymour are preparing for what they expect will be their busiest sales period of the year as Independence Day approaches, even as fire officials remind residents to celebrate safely.

Max Debow, who has operated a fireworks stand for the past decade, said business has been steady but typical for this point in the season. Like many vendors, he expects a surge in customers during the final days before the Fourth of July.

“It’s something family-friendly everybody can do, whether you’re old or young,” Debow said. “It’s fun to do.”

Debow said his stand offers a wide variety of products for customers planning holiday celebrations.

“We’ve got cakes, we’ve got mortars, we’ve got your kids’ stuff, multi-packs, parachutes—anything you want, we’ve got it,” he said.

While shoppers browse for fireworks, fire officials are urging residents to remember the dangers associated with their use.

Emily Wood of the Pigeon Forge Fire Department said thousands of people are injured by fireworks every year, with sparklers accounting for more injuries than many people realize.

“People don’t realize just how many injuries there are in any given year in regards to fireworks,” Wood said. “Last year it’s estimated there were about 13,000 injuries. About 1,300 of those came from sparklers. Beyond that, fireworks are actually accountable for about 31,000 fires across the United States every year.”

Despite the growing number of fireworks retailers in Seymour, Debow said competition has not hurt business.

“In this parking lot alone, there’s four tents,” he said. “I know at least three more down that way, three more that way. There’s plenty of business for everyone, and it’s fun marketing.”

Vendors say many customers traditionally wait until the final days before Independence Day to purchase fireworks, making the week leading up to July 4 the busiest stretch of the season.

Fire officials encourage anyone planning to use fireworks to do so responsibly by following local laws, lighting fireworks only in open areas away from structures and dry vegetation, and keeping a water source nearby in case a fire starts.