Consumer fireworks rarely lead to deaths in the United States, but for the second time in two years, and Iowan has died in a fireworks-related accident.

On July 3rd, 53-year-old James Don McMichael of Atalissa was declared dead after the Cedar County Sheriff's Office, the Atalissa Fire Department, and the West Liberty Ambulance responded to an emergency call at his home. The Cedar County Sheriff ruled his death an accident and said the probable cause of death was being hit in the head with a firework.

McMichael was a lifelong farmer and leaves behind a wife and two sons. His death marks the second straight year an Iowan has died in a consumer fireworks accident. In 2018, 18-year-old Coltin Carolus was injured while discharging fireworks near Waverly. He was transported to Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo and put on life support, before passing away the next day.

Statistics show that fireworks fatalities in the U.S. are rare. In 2018, there were only 5 reported deaths due to consumer fireworks.

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