Counting fireworks injuries a struggle in Georgia, elsewhere

ATLANTA (AP) — Most fireworks became legal in Georgia more than a year ago, but state officials can't say whether the number of people injured by them has changed — echoing a nationwide pattern in which experts believe fireworks injuries often go underreported and undercounted.

The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission reported at least 11 deaths from fireworks in 2015 and 11,900 injuries requiring emergency room treatment.

Georgia's state fire marshal, though, said his agency hasn't received reports from hospitals and other sources for years — in spite of a state law requiring that certain types of burn injuries be reported.

After Georgia lawmakers opened up sales of bottle rockets, firecrackers and other consumer fireworks in 2015, residents no longer had to visit neighboring Southern states to buy legally.

Experts note other states struggle to get information from health care providers concerned about patient privacy.

In Washington, the state fire marshal and Department of Health partner to collect yearly reports of injuries, deaths, fires and other damage caused by fireworks, said Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Dan Johnson.