06/29/2025
Summer has officially arrived, and with June coming to an end, many Americans are looking ahead to the Fourth of July and the celebrations that come with it. Whether it’s a barbeque with loved ones, a trip to the beach, movie night, or something in between, July 4th offers up a moment to ring in summer and warmer days. And, of course, the Fourth of July means fireworks. As we head into the holiday week, it’s more important than ever to remind patients and the public of the dangers fireworks pose to health, and to eye health in particular.
In recognition of this, Prevent Blindness has declared the week of June 28 through July 4 as its Fifth Annual Fireworks Safety Awareness Week. Jeff Todd, CEO of Prevent Blindness, said, “By avoiding fireworks, or attending fireworks displays conducted by licensed professionals only, you will help the Fourth of July remain a joyous occasion to celebrate with family and friends, not a day spent in an emergency room.”
To keep eye safety top of mind, Prevent Blindness has developed a helpful fact sheet about firework safety, which states that most fireworks injuries occur during the one-month period surrounding July Fourth, according to statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In 2023, Prevent Blindness reports, an estimated 6,400 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments surrounding the Fourth of July period. This makes up 66 percent of the total estimated fireworks related injuries in that year. Prevent Blindness also reports that the parts of the body most often injured by fireworks in 2023 were “hands and fingers (5 percent); head, face and ears (22 percent); eyes (19 percent); trunk/other regions (11 percent); legs (8 percent); and arms (5 percent).”
Through its fireworks safety webpage, Prevent Blindness stated, “Prevent Blindness supports the development and enforcement of bans on the importation, sale and use of all fireworks, except those used in authorized public displays by licensed operators, as the only effective means of eliminating the social and economic impact of fireworks-related trauma and damage.”
To combat the dangers of fireworks, Prevent Blindness offers free resources to help ECPs educate the public about the dangers associated with fireworks. These include a firework safety fact sheet and position statement, as well as a firework eye injury safety quiz.
In addition, the nonprofit offered up a few fun celebratory alternatives, like making pinwheels, red, white and blue baking, colorful glow sticks, outdoor string lights and glow in the dark paints.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology also offers a fireworks eye safety webpage, which includes important safety information and tips on how to treat a firework eye injury. The Academy underscores the fact that even bystanders can be injured by fireworks, and that all users and bystanders should wear eye protection if using fireworks or attending a professional fireworks show.
Sparklers are just as dangerous, if not more so, the Academy said. “Sparklers can be especially dangerous, as they burn at more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit… children are often allowed to play with sparklers because these fireworks are considered relatively harmless. But that couldn't be farther from the truth.”
The Academy also shared important information on how to handle fireworks-related eye injuries, which ECPs can share with their patients this week leading up to the Fourth of July. After immediately calling 911, the Academy said, follow these guidelines:
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 unless directed by a doctor.
Fourth of July weekend should be a fun, celebratory event, and following firework safety regulations can help ensure that. As ECPs head into this first week of July, take a moment to remind your patients and staff about the dangers of fireworks, or head to social media to share this message more widely. Then, throw some hot dogs on the grill and enjoy your Fourth of July safely.
Image courtesy of Prevent Blindness
