Each year, numerous preventable injuries occur during Fourth of July celebrations, mainly due to improper handling of fireworks. And kids are especially at risk.
Burns on the hands, fingers and arms are some of the most common firework injuries. They are frequently caused by holding a lit firework when it goes off. Burns can also occur when sparks from sparklers fly off and land on skin or clothing.
"Most parents wouldn't allow a kid to walk around with a candle or fire most times of the year," David Aguilar, Senior Injury Prevention Coordinator at Children's Health pointed out. "It's funny how on the Fourth of July, it seems like it's okay to do that."
His concern extends to even the most seemingly harmless types of fireworks, such as sparklers.
"Even if you allow your child to play with a sparkler, they heat up to over 2,000 degrees, which can melt some metals," he said. "We always ask parents to make sure they're careful, as these can easily catch on fire and cause injuries to eyes and clothing."
But Aguilar isn't naïve; he knows that some parents and communities will still partake in home fireworks displays.
"We know that some parents are still going to do that," he acknowledged. "So we ask that just to let the adults do it. It could be a fun time to have with kids, but the kids should be the ones standing back and letting the adults do that."
He emphasized the importance of being prepared for accidents, noting, "If that's the route they choose to go, it's important to have things in hand like a bucket with water or a hose. A lot of areas could be dry and easily catch on fire, so being prepared just in case is crucial."
In addition to general safety tips, Aguilar also addressed the risks of attempting to relight malfunctioned fireworks.
"When kids or adults try to approach a firework to see what happens, it could actually pop at that moment," he warned. "They're in such a compressed area that once you try to light it up again, it could cause more injury than intended."
His final piece of advice? Keep it professional.
"One of the things that's important is just to enjoy this a little bit better and leave it to the professionals," Aguilar advised. "If your city or any other area around is doing a firework show, head that way. Allow the kids to have a little fun with glow sticks instead. This will keep everyone safe so they can celebrate the Fourth of July weekend without worry."
Aguilar's message is clear: safety first, especially when dealing with something as unpredictable and dangerous as fireworks.
What you need to know:
1. Never give young children fireworks
2. Handle fireworks with care
3. Have water at the ready
4. Never relight a firework that did not go off
5. Skip the at-home fireworks
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