As we approach the 4th of July, many of us are excited to celebrate with family, friends, and fireworks. While fireworks are a thrilling part of the festivities, they can pose serious risks to our eyes. At Washington University Ophthalmology, we want to ensure your celebrations are not only fun but safe. Here are some essential firework safety tips to protect your eyes and keep the holiday joyful.
1. Keep a Safe Distance
When watching fireworks, always maintain a safe distance from the launch site. Fireworks can malfunction and explode in unexpected directions. Keeping your distance reduces the risk of injury.
2. Use Protective Eyewear
If you’re handling fireworks, wearing safety glasses can protect your eyes from sparks and debris. Even as a spectator, protective eyewear that meets the criteria set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a smart precaution.
3. Supervise Children
Children should never handle fireworks, including sparklers, which burn at temperatures hot enough to cause severe eye injuries. Always supervise children closely during firework displays and celebrations.
4. Read Instructions Carefully
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for lighting and handling fireworks. Incorrect usage increases the risk of accidents. If you’re unsure, seek guidance from someone experienced or consider attending a professional display. Remember to observe local laws.
5. Avoid Alcohol While Handling Fireworks
Alcohol and fireworks are a dangerous mix. Impaired judgment and slower reaction times increase the likelihood of accidents. If you plan to drink, enjoy the show but leave the fireworks to someone sober.
6. Keep a Bucket of Water Nearby
Always have a bucket of water or a hose nearby when lighting fireworks. This can help extinguish any unexpected fires and provides a safe way to douse used fireworks.
7. Dispose of Fireworks Properly
Used fireworks can still be dangerous. Soak them in water before disposing of them in a metal trash can away from any buildings or flammable materials.
8. Be Aware of Duds
If a firework fails to ignite, do not approach it immediately. Wait at least 20 minutes, then soak it in water before disposal. Attempting to relight a dud can lead to unexpected explosions and injuries.
9. Attend Professional Displays
One of the safest ways to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by professionals. Making sure to respect safety barriers, follow all safety instructions, and view fireworks from at least 500 feet away. These shows are designed with safety measures in place, ensuring a spectacular and secure experience.
Fireworks-Related Injuries
In 2022 alone, eleven people died and more than 10,200 were seriously injured in the United States, according to the most recent fireworks injury report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. More than half (65%) of people injured by fireworks were bystanders, according to one study.
Children and young adults are frequent victims of serious fireworks injuries. Children age 15 and under accounted for about one-third of the total injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report. Teenagers 15 to 19 years old were most likely to require emergency treatment for fireworks injuries. Firecrackers were the top cause of injury, sending more than 1,300 people to the emergency room.
Even Sparklers Can Cause Severe Eye Injuries
Sparklers can be especially dangerous, as they burn at more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Sparklers were responsible for 600 fireworks injuries in the latest report, and a sparkler mishap caused one of the fireworks deaths reported in 2017. Children are often allowed to play with sparklers because these fireworks are considered relatively harmless. But that couldn’t be farther from the truth.
How to Treat a Fireworks Eye Injury
The most recent Consumer Product Safety Commission report found that 16% of fireworks injuries were eye injuries. In the most severe cases, fireworks can rupture the globe of the eye, cause chemical and thermal burns, corneal abrasions, and retinal detachment — all of which can cause permanent eye damage and vision loss.
Fireworks-related eye injuries can combine blunt force trauma, heat burns, and chemical exposure. An eye injury from fireworks is a medical emergency. Call 911 or seek immediate medical care. In the meantime, follow these guidelines:
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Do not rinse your eyes.
- Do not apply pressure.
- Do not remove any objects that are stuck in the eye.
- Do not apply ointments or take any blood-thinning pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen unless directed by a doctor.
Fireworks Safety Tips with Kumar Rao, MD, MBA