Tips for a Safe 4th of July

As we celebrate the United States' 250th anniversary this Fourth of July, many families are looking forward to marking this historic milestone with festive traditions. Lighting fireworks in the backyard or a nearby field might seem like an exciting way to entertain the kids. However, thousands of people—most of them children, teens, and young adults—are injured each year by consumer fireworks, with the majority of these injuries occurring in the weeks surrounding the Fourth of July.

Here's why it's smart to leave the fireworks to trained professionals, along with ideas for safer ways to celebrate this historic Independence Day. 

Common injuries from fireworks

The Consumer Product Safety Commission received reports of 11 fireworks-related deaths in 2024. Most happened when the fireworks were misused, or when the devices misfired or malfunctioned. An estimated total of 14,700 people were injured by fireworks last year; that was a sharp increase over the previous year.

Among parts of the body most often injured were hands fingers (36%) and head, face, and ears (22%) and eyes (19%). Burns were the most common injury, making up 37% of all emergency room visits.

Safer ways to celebrate on the 4th of July

View fireworks from a safe distance

Professional fireworks shows are going to be more spectacular, and safer, than backyard fireworks. Enjoy them at a safe distance, at least 500 feet away from the fireworks launch site. This will help avoid injuries and also protect your child's hearing.

Fireworks and firecrackers can be as loud as 150 decibels—a lot louder than what's considered a safe listening level (75–80 decibels). At close distance, even one loud burst is enough to cause some permanent hearing damage.

Also keep in mind that if you find any unexploded or "dud" fireworks that fell to the ground, they may still go off. Keep your distance and call your local fire or police department right away.

Fireworks & wildfire risk

If public fireworks displays are canceled in your area because of dry conditions and the risk of wildfires, consider viewing a laser or drone show that a growing number of communities offer instead. Many cities and other areas also have dangerous air quality levels due to wildfires. Make sure to check your local regulations about safe outdoor activities and events.

Wave a flag (or glow stick) instead of a sparkler

Sparklers may seem relatively harmless, as fireworks go. If you think about it, though, on any other day of the year would you hand your child matches or a flaming candle to play with? Probably, a hard no.

According to the CPSC, nearly half of fireworks injuries to children under age 5 are related to sparklers. Surprised? Consider this:

• Sparklers burn at an extremely high heat: 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That's hot enough to melt some metals!
• Sparks can ignite clothing on fire and cause eye injuries.
• Touching a lit sparkler to skin can result in third-degree burns.

There were about 1,700 emergency department-treated injuries that involved sparklers in 2024.
You work so hard all year long to keep your child safe.... Don't let the 4th of July mess with your common sense.

Remember

Even if fireworks are legal to purchase and use in your community, they are not safe around children.

Source American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention (Copyright © 2022)