10 tips for staying safe around fireworks

Spencer Robinson, MD

Emergency Medicine

While fireworks can be fun, it is important to remember they are also dangerous and should be used with extreme care. Emergency medicine physician Spencer Robinson Jr., MD, shared some tips on how to stay safe.

How dangerous are fireworks really?

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year in the United States, 9,100 people were treated in the emergency room for injuries such as burns, lacerations, contusions and even amputations from fireworks.

Dr. Robinson shared these tips for firework safety:

1. Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
2. Always have an adult supervise fireworks or sparkler activities.
3. Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
4. Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
5. Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
6. Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly to a safe distance.
7. Wear safety glasses or goggles when shooting fireworks.
8. Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
9. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
10. Call 911 immediately if someone is injured from fireworks.

What about sparklers?

Many people consider sparklers a safer alternative to fireworks, but they can burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees. Use glow sticks, bubbles and noisemakers as safer alternatives to sparklers.

To enjoy fireworks, leave it to the experts. We encourage you to find fun and safe alternatives to fireworks as you celebrate this summer!