JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Fireworks are fun to watch on the Fourth of July and a yearly tradition for many.
But if you plan on lighting them off yourself, Dr. Purva Grover, an emergency medicine physician for Cleveland Clinic Children’s, urges you to keep a few things in mind.
“You have to be very careful when it comes to who’s using the fireworks, where you’re using them and how you’re using them,” Grover said. “You need to be able to follow the instructions on the packaging.”
Along with carefully reading the instructions on the fireworks, it’s important to make sure an adult is lighting them off.
Location, location, location
When setting off fireworks, Grover said location matters.
You should be in an open space outdoors, away from anything that can easily catch fire, like a house or patio.
It’s a good idea to have water nearby as well as a first aid kit in case something goes wrong.
Never stand over a firework as you light it -- and if it doesn’t light the first time, don’t immediately go back to try again.
The person overseeing the fireworks also needs to be aware of who’s around them.
“Not only does the person using the fireworks need to be careful. The bystanders need to be careful as well,” she said. “Parents need to make sure children aren’t running around near the fireworks.”
Avoid injuries
Although minor burns can be treated at home, Grover said people need to seek medical help right away for more serious injuries.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said those serious injuries that end with a trip to the emergency room remain high.
According to new CPSC data, there were 11 reported fireworks-related deaths in 2022, mostly associated with mortar-style devices. Five of those deaths were associated with fireworks misuse, with victims ranging from 11 to 43 years of age.
The new report also showed there were an estimated 10,200 fireworks-related injuries in 2022, and 73% of those injuries occurred during the one month surrounding the July 4th holiday.
“Fireworks are beautiful to watch, but they can be deadly when mishandled or misused, or if the fireworks themselves contain illegal components,” says CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric. “I urge everyone to use care around fireworks, only use fireworks labeled for consumer use, and always keep children far away from fireworks, including sparklers. We want everyone to have a fun and safe celebration.”
CPSC said most fireworks injuries and deaths are preventable. In addition to keeping a bucket of water or garden hose nearby for mishaps, CPSC recommends these safety tips:
- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit— hot enough to melt some metals.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and only purchase and set off fireworks that are labeled for consumer (not professional) use.
- Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Most dangerous types
CPSC’s report also contained information about the commission’s surveillance of fireworks sold in the US. In 2022, approximately 43% of selected and tested fireworks were found to contain illegal components that could cause severe injuries. These components include fuses that do not comply with the law, the presence of prohibited chemicals, and pyrotechnic materials overload.
Incidents involving fireworks are not limited to July 4th. The report highlights other key findings on injuries in the month surrounding the July 4th holiday in 2022:
- Adults 25 to 44 years of age experienced about 36% of the estimated injuries, and children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 28% of the estimated injuries
- Where known, the fireworks types with the highest estimated emergency department-treated injuries in 2022 were firecrackers (1,300) followed by sparklers (600)
- The parts of the body most often injured by fireworks were hands and fingers (an estimated 29% of injuries) along with head, face, and ears (an estimated 19%); legs (an estimated 19%); and eyes (an estimated 16%)
- Burns were the most frequently estimated type of injury, making up 38% of all emergency department-treated fireworks injuries
For more fireworks safety tips, visit Fireworks | CPSC.gov
Cleveland Clinic News Service contributed to this report.