No fireworks are safe when it comes to children

No fireworks are safe when it comes to children

Each year, hospital emergency rooms across the country see a surge of patients around the Fourth of July who've injured themselves lighting fireworks at home. And of those injuries, 15 to 20 percent of all fireworks injuries are to the eyes.

Anna Kitzmann, MD, an ophthalmologist at Emplify Health by Gundersen, says not only is the frequency of eye-related accidents a concern, but the effects of these injuries can be devastating. She's seen cases of permanent vision loss or loss of an eyeball. In 2024, 11 people died from fireworks injuries, she said.

Even the simplest of fireworks - sparklers - are not safe for young children.

"Sparklers can burn at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making them unsafe for children, as are, frankly, all fireworks," Dr. Kitzmann says. "I would encourage parents to considering glow sticks as a much safer option for children."

Dr. Kitzmann encourages those interested in fireworks to attend a professional display but says if you do choose to light them off yourself, safety it paramount. That includes eye protection; heat-resistant gloves; long-sleeved, non-flammable clothing; closed-toes shoes; and a bucket of water or garden hose nearby.

And. Dr. Kitzmann says not to try to revive any duds in your arsenal.

"You should never look at a dud," she says. "Many of the eye injuries I've seen are due to mishandling of duds."

"Please leave the fireworks to the professionals," she adds.