Firework safety
Although fireworks are popular in the summer, they can also be dangerous. Follow these tips to help your family stay safe when around fireworks.
Fireworks and the Fourth of July go hand in hand. Sparklers, firecrackers, and large community fireworks displays are typically the highlight of the day. But along with the fun and excitement comes the possibility for burns, injuries, and emergencies, especially when children are around.
Nationwide, between 3,500 and 5,000 children under the age of 15 are sent to the emergency department each year in the United States because of firework injuries and burns (Safe Kids Worldwide). Following the legalization of consumer fireworks in Iowa (in 2017), our state’s major pediatric trauma centers see about 25-40 fireworks-related injuries per year. Lucy Wibbenmeyer, MD, burn surgeon at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, along with the burn team, and Jenna Gibbs, manager of Injury Prevention and Community Outreach at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, provide some tips on how to stay safe when around fireworks.
Before legalization of consumer fireworks, many injured children in Iowa (around 50%) were bystanders—they were standing nearby who got hit by stray debris during viewing. Today, most injured children seen in the ER today are hurt because they were actively handling, holding, or lighting the fireworks themselves (UI Injury Prevention Center). To reduce chance of injury, it is best to view fireworks displays at community events since they are staffed by adults who typically work for the municipal fire departments. This allows for safe family viewing from a distance.
Sparklers account for nearly half of the injuries to children under the age of five (American Academy of Pediatrics). Sparklers can also reach temperatures of around 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit—hot enough to melt some metals—and are dangerous to young children. Dr. Wibbenmeyer recommends substituting sparklers with glowsticks or a flag to help prevent injuries.
Fireworks can exceed 150 decibels, which can cause hearing loss after a few minutes (safe listening levels are considered 75-80 decibels). Children’s ear canals are smaller and much more sensitive than adults. Many brands make ‘over the ear’ earmuffs for young children. Shop online or visit the Safety Store for hearing protection products, such as Ems for Kids earmuffs. Some products are even designed for infants. Children can typically transition from youth earmuffs to adult-sized hearing protection around 10 to 12 years old, depending on their physical growth.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or another mishap. Move to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks. Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Instead, soak them with plenty of water and follow local guidelines for the proper disposal of fireworks, packaging, and debris. Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Seek immediate care. Call 911 immediately or go to the emergency room if there is a serious or life-threatening condition. In the meantime, Dr. Wibbenmeyer recommends following these guidelines:
For burn-related injuries:
- Cool the burn with COOL (not cold) water to stop the burning process
- Remove all clothing and jewelry from the injured area
- Cover the area with a dry clean sheet or loose bandages
For eye-related injuries:
- Do not rinse your eyes
- Do not apply pressure
- Do not remove any objects that are stuck in the eye
- Do not apply ointments or take any blood-thinning pain medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen unless directed by a doctor