Fireworks Safety Tips

Fireworks are common at parties and celebrations including the Fourth of July. Whether you and your family and friends set off your own smaller fireworks or watch a professional show, it’s important to protect your eyes around fireworks.

Watch and share this video from the American Academy of Ophthalmology for important safety tips and information. You can also share it from our Facebook page.

Here are some tips to make sure you are safe:

• View fireworks from at least 500 feet away of a professional show.
• When watching professional shows, don’t cross safety barriers to get a better view.
• Never let young children handle fireworks on their own.
• Only light one sparkler at a time.
• Never touch an unexploded firework; contact your local fire department for help when one does not go off properly.
• Always wear protective gear when handling fireworks.
• Leave the lighting of professional-grade fireworks to trained officials!

The Academy advises that the best way to avoid a potentially blinding fireworks injury is by attending a professional public fireworks show rather than purchasing fireworks for home use.

What to do for a fireworks eye injury

If an eye injury from fireworks occurs, remember:

• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Do not rub your eyes.
• 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.