Each year, thousands of Americans visit emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. 35% of those injured are under the age of 15¹. Regulations have helped make fireworks safer, though inherently they remain potentially hazardous.

Firecrackers

Firecrackers can cause eye injuries if they erupt at close range. Someone inspecting a firecracker that failed to go off could be the victim of a delayed explosion.

Bottle rockets

Bottle rockets are responsible for some of the most serious eye injuries. These fireworks fly erratically and then explode. They can cause everything from eyelid lacerations to total blindness.

Be a spectator

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by trained pyrotechnicians. Prevent Blindness America, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the National Fire Protection Association agree that it’s best to leave firework shows to the professionals.

Sparklers

Sparklers can burn at up to 1,800°F, hot enough for third-degree burns. In the dark, it can be difficult to determine the distance between the end of a lit sparkler and a person’s face.

Sources

¹Tu, Y., & Granados, D. V. (2015, June). 2014 Fireworks Annual Report. Retrieved from CPSC: https://www.cpsc.gov/Global/Research-and-Statistics/Injury-Statistics/Fuel-Lighters-and-Fireworks/Fireworks_Report_2014.pdf