The 4th of July holiday is right around the corner, and for many of us, that means celebrating with fireworks.
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC), emergency rooms treated 9,700 Americans with fireworks-related injuries in 2023. Of those injuries, 35% were to hands or fingers, 22% to the head, face, or ears, and 19% to the eyes.
Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 had the highest estimated rate of emergency room visits because of fireworks-related injuries, with children ages 5-9 having the second highest rate. According to CPSC data, about 800 ER visits in 2023 were due to injuries associated with firecrackers and 700 with sparklers.
Safety Tips
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is by attending a professional show. If you do hold your own fireworks display, remember these recommendations:
- Always read instructions on fireworks.
- Ignite fireworks and sparklers in a clear, open space.
- Children should never play with or ignite fireworks. Even though sparklers may seem relatively safe for the kids, keep in mind that they burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Light items at arm’s length and stand back immediately.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your eyes and hands.
- Never attempt to relight dud fireworks.
- Never hold a lit firework in your hand.
- Have a bucket of water, a water hose, or a fire extinguisher nearby.
What to do when an injury occurs
It is important to treat or get treatment as quickly as possible for fireworks-related injuries. For anything beyond minor injuries, seek medical attention or call 911.
Burns
- Remove all clothing, jewelry, or anything that can hold heat to the body.
- Cool the burn for approximately 3-5 minutes with cool (not cold) water.
- Do not use ice, Vitamin E or other home remedies as this may make the injury worse.
- If it is a small burn, about the size of a quarter, wash gently with soap and water daily. Then apply a small amount of triple antibiotic ointment to the area and cover with a bandage until healed. For larger or extremely painful burns, seek medical attention.
Eye injuries
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Do not rub, attempt to rinse or put pressure on the eye.
- Don’t remove any debris from the eye or apply any ointment to the eye without medical advice.