Fireworks are enjoyable, ER visits aren’t. Fourth of July security ideas

This weekend, many Americans will joyfully rejoice the 250th anniversary of the start of our nation by blowing up little bits of it in colourful methods. Fireworks are dramatic, exhilarating, and enjoyable for each massive civic shows that brilliantly gentle up the entire sky and for delighting the children within the backyard barbecues with booms and bangs.

They additionally convey emergency room visits, if not correctly dealt with.

“It’s that time of year when we have to tell people to not hold lit fireworks,” the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission posted to Bluesky.

Shop America 250 merch at Amazon

Fireworks can harm, maim, and even kill if used carelessly

Every yr, the careless use of fireworks causes 1000’s of preventable accidents. Even probably the most harmless-looking of fireworks, sparklers — those you hand to babies to allow them to rejoice, too — burn at temperatures above 2,000 levels Fahrenheit and may trigger severe burns.

In 2025, CPSC acquired experiences of at least 15 deaths and an estimated 13,000 emergency department-treated accidents linked to fireworks misuse and malfunction, with an estimated 1,300 accidents simply from sparklers. The American Fireworks Standards Laboratory listed 24 fireworks-related fatalities in its personal 2025 report.

Fireworks-related accidents will be horrific, involving main burns, amputations, and broken organs. The largest share of accidents have been to folks aged 15 to 24, and the commonest accidents have been burns to the palms, fingers, and head, the CPSC stated in a June release.

“To a firework, your body is sentient gelatin,” the company posted to Bluesky. “Nothing more. Nothing less. Remember that and use fireworks safely this July 4th.”

Are fireworks authorized in Florida? What about those big mortars?

Fireworks trigger fires

There’s one other hazard to be anxious about in a state affected by drought that has seen practically 2,500 wildfires this yr. Fireworks began an estimated 34,079 fires in 2024, in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association, together with 3,246 construction fires, 857 car fires, 29,517 exterior fires, and 459 unclassified fires.

“These fires caused an estimated 59 civilian injuries and $98 million in direct property damage,” the NFPA stated.

As of July 3, there are 4 Florida counties below burn bans on account of drought circumstances the place personal fireworks usually are not allowed in any respect.

Tips on having fun with fireworks safely

While harmful, fireworks will be loved with out having to name 911 in case you take some easy precautions. The CPSC presents the following pointers.

• Buy solely authorized shopper fireworks from respected retailers. Never use home made, altered or unlawful fireworks, and at all times comply with the directions on the label. In May of this yr, a Tallahassee man was killed and his home destroyed by the home made fireworks he was making.
• Keep youngsters away from fireworks, together with sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 levels Fahrenheit — scorching sufficient to soften some metals — and may trigger severe burns in seconds. They also can ignite clothes and hair. Sparklers have been related to the best variety of estimated accidents for infants and preschool youngsters in 2025.
• Keep water close by. Have a bucket of water or a backyard hose prepared in case of fireside or to soundly soak used fireworks.
• Never use fireworks whereas impaired by alcohol or medication.
• Light one firework at a time, then transfer away shortly. Never lean over a firework whereas lighting the fuse.
• Never intention, throw, or level fireworks at folks, animals, or buildings. Never maintain, put on, or connect fireworks to your physique or clothes. Use fireworks solely as directed by the producer.
• Don’t relight a “dud.” Wait at the least 20 minutes, then soak it completely in water earlier than disposing of it.

The most secure approach to rejoice? Leave fireworks to the professionals and revel in public fireworks shows in your neighborhood. 

C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect staff. You can get all of Florida’s finest content material straight in your inbox every weekday by signing up for the free publication, Florida TODAY.