New research from Harborview Medical Center and the University of Washington shows legal fireworks are almost as dangerous as the illegal type.
Michael Spencer, a pilot, lost several fingers and underwent 11 surgeries at Harborview to repair damage caused when a legal shell-and-mortar-style firework exploded in his hand as he was celebrating the July 4th holiday in Montana.
"I lit the fuse, I held it above my head, and it detonated in the tube ... and exploded in my hands," he says. "I lost my ring finger, I lost the tip of middle finger, and I lost the thumb off of my left hand," he says.
But that's not all.
"I damaged my thumb on my right hand severely," he continues. "I lost my index finger and the tip of my middle finger on my right hand."