Burn survivor speaks at Cary event to help stop firework-related injuries

CARY, N.C. (WNCN) — The North Carolina State Fire Marshal kicked off the state’s 2026 4th of July Awareness Campaign to prevent firework-related injuries and deaths on Tuesday.

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The announcement was made during the “Save-A-Life” Recognition event at Cary Fire Station #9.

Firefighters joined other first responders, caregivers, volunteers and a burn survivor who shared her story to watch the debut of a fireworks documentary — a show-and-tell-all specifically about the dangers of sparklers.  

Burn survivor Ginger Peters knows that reality all too well.

“I was in the hospital for over two months,” she told several dozen people at the event. She also said that she came close to dying more than once.

Ginger’s story is highlighted in the documentary after she suffered third-degree burns over nearly half her body, leading to months of treatment and a long road to recovery.

A sparkler set her dress on fire at her birthday party this past September.

“I ended up on, having, third degree burns. Over 40% of my body, had over eight skin grafts,” she added. “I ended up on a what’s called an Eskimo machine, which is the last form of life support that is available. Thankfully, you know, I had an amazing care team at the burns center who, you know, worked so hard to save me. And I am here today. Wow, what a blessing!”

Now, she’s turning her unimaginable pain into a message that could save someone else’s life.

She was literally given her flowers on Tuesday afternoon, as she joined others in celebrating America’s 250th birthday while warning people that one firework could spark more than just a show, especially right now during the ongoing drought in North Carolina.

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“And that’s why we’re here today,” North Carolina’s State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor said.  “We want to recognize the importance of safety during the 4th of July. And normally, we use fireworks and we want folks to celebrate with fireworks, but we want [people] to do that in a responsible and safe manner.”

Taylor’s holiday message: “Leave the fireworks to the (pyrotechnic) pros.”

He commended them and congratulated first responders and caregivers from the UNC Jaycee Burn Unit who treated Ginger.

“You didn’t just save a patient,” an emotional Ginger Peters said. “You saved Cayden and Cruz’s mom; You saved Alan’s wife. You saved a woman who had a lot more chaos to create and when my body couldn’t fight you fought for me.”

An average of 192 North Carolinians are treated in emergency departments alone each year for fireworks-related injuries. 

And burn survivor, Ginger Peters, has the scars — and now the purpose to remind her of the dangers of sparklers and other fireworks — for the rest of her life. 

“You know, they’re meant for, you know, for fun and for joy when we’re celebrating, you know, independence or birthdays or weddings. But they are so dangerous,” she warned. “In a split second, someone’s life can be completely turned upside down.”

The State Fire Marshal reminds anyone thinking about buying aerial fireworks, the warning isn’t just about safety—it’s also about the law under which violators can face hundreds of dollars in fines and up to 6 months in jail.

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The Office of State Fire Marshal encourages residents to:

• Attend professional fireworks displays in their community
• Follow local burn bans and fire safety advisories
• Keep children away from all fireworks, including sparklers
• Have a plan to report fires immediately by calling 911
• Celebrate responsibly and be mindful of neighbors, pets, and first responders