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Fireworks Injure Thousands Every Year
Bottom line: Fireworks are not harmless entertainment. They cause thousands of serious injuries every year, many of them to people who weren’t even handling the fireworks.
🎇 Leave Fireworks to the Professionals
Attending a public fireworks show is far safer than lighting fireworks at home. But even at a professional display, you can take steps to protect your eyes.
👇 Tips for Safe Viewing
- Keep your distance — stay in designated spectator areas
- Wear ANSI‑approved eye protection
- Watch children closely — they’re the most likely to wander into danger
- Avoid picking up unexploded fireworks — they can detonate unexpectedly
- Follow all event instructions from local officials
The latest data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows a sharp rise in fireworks-related harm:
- 8 deaths in 2024
- 14,700 serious injuries — a 58% increase from 2023
- Many victims were bystanders, not the people lighting the fireworks
Children are especially vulnerable. Simply standing nearby can be as dangerous as handling the fireworks yourself.
☀️ Why Summer Is the Most Dangerous Season
Most injuries occur between mid‑June and mid‑July, when backyard celebrations peak. Emergency rooms consistently report burns, hand trauma, and eye injuries during this period.
👁️ Eye Safety: The Most Overlooked Risk
Fireworks can cause:
- Corneal burns
- Retinal damage
- Permanent vision loss
Even small fireworks — sparklers, fountains, firecrackers — burn hot enough to cause blindness.
To reduce risk, all spectators and users should wear ANSI‑rated eye protection, the same standard used in industrial safety gear.
🎇 Leave Fireworks to the Professionals
Attending a public fireworks show is far safer than lighting fireworks at home. But even at a professional display, you can take steps to protect your eyes.
👇 Tips for Safe Viewing
- Keep your distance — stay in designated spectator areas
- Wear ANSI‑approved eye protection
- Watch children closely — they’re the most likely to wander into danger
- Avoid picking up unexploded fireworks — they can detonate unexpectedly
- Follow all event instructions from local officials
Visit Eye Health - American Academy of Ophthalmology for more information.
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