TeamstersCare 25 TeamstersCare 25

Select Language:

The Safest Ways to Enjoy Fireworks this Summer

Enjoy a safe show

Each year, thousands of Americans visit emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries. 35% of those injured are under the age of 15. 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.
  • 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.

Conclusion

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.

LEARN MORE