Firework Safety

What is Firework Safety?

On July 4, 2022, a 34-year-old father in rural Georgia attempted to relight a mortar-style firework that had failed to launch from its tube. He leaned over the tube to inspect the fuse, and the delayed charge detonated at face level, causing severe burns to his face and neck and permanent hearing loss in his left ear. His 10-year-old daughter, standing just eight feet away, was struck by debris and suffered a fractured orbital bone. Emergency responders later noted that the family had been using fireworks on a dry gravel driveway with no water source nearby and no safety glasses or hearing protection. The incident was one of over 10,000 firework-related emergency room visits reported nationally that year.

Firework safety is the set of precautions and best practices for handling, igniting, and disposing of consumer fireworks to minimize the risk of burns, eye injuries, hearing damage, and property fires. It also includes understanding legal regulations, recognizing the limits of consumer-grade products, and making informed decisions about when professional displays are the safer choice.

Key Components

1. Pre-Use Planning and Legal Compliance

• Check local and state laws before purchasing fireworks, as regulations vary widely and penalties for illegal fireworks can include fines and criminal charges
• Choose a flat, open launch area at least 150 feet from buildings, vehicles, dry brush, and overhead obstructions like trees and power lines
• Have a charged garden hose or several buckets of water immediately accessible at the firing site before lighting any fireworks
• Designate a sober, experienced adult as the sole lighter and keep all spectators -- especially children -- at least 35 feet from the launch zone

2. Safe Handling and Ignition

• Read all warning labels and instructions on each firework before use, as different products have different safety distances and fuse behaviors
• Light fireworks one at a time using a long-reach butane lighter or extended punk, then immediately move back to the spectator distance
• Never hold a lit firework in your hand, point it at another person, or place any part of your body over the top of a device
• Treat any firework that fails to ignite as a live explosive -- wait at least 20 minutes before approaching, then soak it in a bucket of water without relighting

3. Post-Use Cleanup and Disposal

• Soak all spent firework shells, tubes, and debris in a bucket of water for at least 30 minutes before handling or discarding them
• Inspect the launch area for smoldering fragments, especially in grass, mulch, or leaf litter, using a flashlight if it is dark
• Place all soaked firework waste in a metal container or wet garbage bag and dispose of it away from the home -- never in an indoor trash can
• Check roofs, gutters, and nearby structures the following morning for any damage or lodged debris that may not have been visible at night

Building Your Safety Mindset

1. Respect the Explosive Force

   • Remember that consumer fireworks contain gunpowder and chemical oxidizers capable of causing third-degree burns and amputations
   • Avoid modifying, combining, or creating homemade fireworks, as improvised devices are the leading cause of severe firework injuries
   • Recognize that alcohol and fireworks are a dangerous combination -- impaired judgment leads to risk-taking that sober individuals would never consider

2. Protect the Most Vulnerable

   • Never allow children to handle fireworks, including sparklers, which burn at over 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and cause the most injuries in children under five
   • Provide safety glasses to anyone involved in lighting fireworks, as eye injuries account for a significant percentage of firework-related ER visits
   • Keep pets indoors in a quiet room during firework displays, as the noise can cause panic, escape attempts, and injury

3. Know When to Step Back

   • Choose to attend a professionally managed fireworks display instead of running your own if you lack experience, proper space, or safety equipment
   • If wind speeds exceed 15 mph, postpone your fireworks display because wind can redirect aerial shells and carry sparks into combustible areas
   • Establish a clear plan for calling 911 and providing first aid for burns before the first firework is lit, not after an injury occurs

Discussion Points

1. What specific factors about your neighborhood or property would you evaluate before deciding whether it is safe enough to use consumer fireworks at home?
2. How should you respond if a neighbor or family member insists on relighting a dud firework despite the 20-minute waiting rule -- what approach would effectively change their mind without escalating the situation?
3. Given that sparklers cause more injuries to young children than any other firework type, what safer alternatives could you introduce at family celebrations that still create an exciting experience?

Action Steps

• Review your local and state firework regulations before your next planned celebration to confirm which products are legal in your area
• Assemble a firework safety kit including a garden hose or water buckets, a long-reach lighter, safety glasses, and a metal disposal container
• Identify and measure a suitable launch area at least 150 feet from structures and confirm it is free of dry vegetation and overhead hazards
• Discuss the 20-minute dud rule and the no-relight policy with everyone who will be present at your next firework event