For a lot of people, summer means barbecues, parades, and fireworks. But along with the celebrations come risks—each year, fireworks cause thousands of injuries and home fires. While many accidents happen when amateurs try to use professional-grade, homemade, or illegal fireworks, about half of all fireworks injuries involve legal, less powerful devices.
The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch professional displays in and around our communities. However, if you choose to set off your own fireworks, please follow these important safety tips:
Sparklers
Often the first fireworks children are allowed to use, sparklers are more dangerous than many realize. They burn at around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can easily ignite clothing and cause severe burns to hands and feet, especially when dropped.
Bottle Rockets
Young adults sometimes engage in “bottle rocket wars,” aiming rockets at one another and causing serious chest, head, and eye injuries.
Never aim bottle rockets at another person.
Firecrackers
Designed to explode on the ground with a loud bang, firecrackers can cause burns and tissue injuries if misused. Never pick up or try to relight a dud firecracker.
Roman Candles
Roman candles shoot multiple exploding shells, often held in the hand. They have caused severe burns, finger loss, and other serious injuries. Always place Roman candles on a flat, stable surface, ignite, and move quickly to a safe distance.
M-Class Fireworks (M-80s, M-100s, M-250s)
Avoid these illegal and dangerous explosives. Their powerful blasts can shake homes blocks away and cause hundreds of severe injuries annually. These devices are unregulated and unsafe.
General Fireworks Safety Tips
- Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
- Older children should use fireworks only under close adult supervision — meaning a sober adult fully focused on supervising.
- Anyone lighting or near fireworks should wear protective eyewear.
- Never light fireworks indoors.
- Use fireworks only away from people, homes, and flammable materials.
- Light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance immediately after lighting.
- Do not attempt to relight or tamper with malfunctioning (“dud”) fireworks.
- Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby to fully extinguish fireworks or in case of fire.
Remember, the best and safest way to enjoy fireworks is to head to a community display, grab a blanket or lawn chair, and let the experts handle the show. All you have to do is “oooh” and “aaah” and enjoy the spectacle safely!