Simplify Your Family's Emergency Preparedness

The Best Fireworks Safety Tips

How to have a safe and fun holiday experience

group of kids watching fireworks from a sidewalk.

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When it comes to fireworks safety, the very best option is to skip the DIY and attend a display under the control of a professional. And honestly, they get to light the best fireworks so, #worthit.

 

But, let’s not be naive. Many people prefer to avoid the crowds, stay home, and have their own fireworks fun. If you’re choosing to go this route, keep reading to learn the fireworks safety tips that will keep you strictly in the fun zone and not the emergency room zone.

Fireworks Safety Statistics

It’s all fun and games to play with fireworks in your backyard…until someone gets hurt. I’m sharing these statistics not to scare you, but to make you aware that fireworks can cause serious injury. And yes, this includes those pretty sparkler sticks.

  • Sparklers can reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit - that's hot enough to melt gold!

  • Fire departments respond to approximately 50,000 calls related to fireworks each year.

  • Over 15,000 people are seen in ERs each year due to injuries caused by fireworks.

  • 71% of fireworks injuries are in males, 20% are in females.

  • Approximately 900 injuries per year are caused by sparklers.

  • More than 3,000 children are injured by fireworks each year.

  • Sparklers account for 1/3 of injuries that occur in children under 5 years old.

  • Burns are the most common injury from fireworks.

  • Most commonly injured body parts are hands/fingers, followed by head (face, ears & eyes), legs and arms.

Fireworks Safety Tips to review with your family

Before every holiday, it’s a good idea to spend some time reviewing the following fireworks safety tips with your family. It can be as simple as a conversation around the dinner table or you could plan a family night and do some role play or show and tell. 

  • Buy only legal fireworks (many states they’re completely illegal) - know the laws where you live.
  • Avoid buying any fireworks that come in brown paper bags. These are typically for professional displays.
  • Never shoot fireworks off in metal or glass containers.
  • ALWAYS wear eye protection.
  • Protect little ears. Some fireworks can be as loud as 150 decibels and cause immediate hearing damage.
  • Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
  • Don’t place any part of your body directly over a firework when lighting it.
  • Don’t let kids handle or light them. Be comfortable being the bad guy here and say NO.
  • Never try to make your own fireworks.
  • Alway use fireworks outside and have a hose or bucket of water nearby.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher close by.
  • Never throw or point fireworks at a person or animal.
  • Designate a safety perimeter (at least 35 feet away).
  • Point fireworks away from houses and don’t light near brush.
  • Light only one firework at a time.
  • Never try to re-light a dud.
  • Don’t let kids pick up the pieces - they could still explode.
  • Soak them in water before throwing away.
  • Consider using glow sticks or party poppers as a safer alternative to sparklers.

If you’re looking for an extra resource, especially for younger kids, the NFPA website has some great videos and educational flyers geared toward fireworks safety for children.

Fireworks Safety Tips for Pets

beagle looking out a window at fireworks.

Don’t forget to plan for your furry family members. Dogs are especially sensitive to the sights, sounds and smells caused by a fireworks display. Plan ahead to help them stay calm.

  • Keep pets indoors when fireworks are being lit.
  • Close all curtains and blinds.
  • Turn on white noise to distract them. A tv show, music, fan, or white noise machine are all good options.
  • Make sure they have access to favorite toys or blankets.
  • If you use a crate, consider keeping them in the crate while fireworks are going off.
  • This is a great time to leave out some fun treats or a lick mat spread with a favorite food.

If someone has been injured by fireworks

Fireworks can cause serious burns to any part of the body. Eye injuries are also something to watch out for. If you or someone near you has been injured by a firework, here are some important tips for preventing long-term repercussions:

 

  • Seek IMMEDIATE medical attention. Do not wait until you’re done lighting off the rest of the fireworks. Call 9-1-1.
  • If a burn injury has occurred, do the best you can to remove any clothing from the burned area.
  • For eye injury, do NOT touch or rub the eye, do NOT flush it with water or apply ointment.
  • For eye injury, DO create a shield to keep anything else from getting into or touching the eye.

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