Prevent 4th of July Firework Injuries by Taking These Simple Steps
By Denise Mann HealthDay Reporter
THURSDAY, July 3, 2025 — Fireworks are the pinnacle of many Fourth of July celebrations, and while they can be festive and fun, they can also land you in the emergency room if you don’t take proper precautions, experts warn.
About 250 people a day wind up in the ER with fireworks-related injuries in the month before and after Independence Day. More than 75% of these injuries affect the head, neck, arms and hands, according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS).
“These injuries can include burns, eye trauma and hearing or vision issues, and in some cases, disfigurement,” said Dr. Patrick Byrne, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and president of AAFPRS.
“Treatment frequently requires a multidisciplinary approach,” he added in a news release.
Taking simple precautions, however, can keep you safe during firework displays:
-
For starters, leave the light show to the pros. Always attend professional fireworks shows instead of lighting your own firecrackers, the academy recommends.
-
Keep children at a safe distance from all fireworks, including sparklers, which burn at nearly 2,000 degrees.
-
Never re-light or handle fireworks that fail to ignite (duds). Instead, wait 20 minutes, then soak them in water before disposing of them. Always have water nearby in case of fire or malfunction.
-
If you are lighting your own firecrackers, light one at a time and back away quickly.
Sources
- American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, June 30, 2025
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted July 2025
Read this next
These Items Sold at Costco Have Been Recalled — Check Your Home
TUESDAY, July 8, 2025 — If you shop at Costco, you may want to check your home for items that have recently been recalled. In the past few months, the retailer has flagged...
100,000 Amazon Mattresses Recalled Over Fire Hazard
MONDAY, June 23, 2025 — If you bought a Crayan mattress on Amazon in the last two years, you may need to stop using it right away. About 100,000 mattresses are being...
More Than 1.8 Million Ninja Pressure Cookers Recalled for Burn Risk
FRIDAY, May 2, 2025 — More than 1.8 million Ninja Foodi pressure cookers are being recalled due to a risk of burns, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.