Fireworks on the 4th of July are as traditional as the cookouts and parades. Many oohs and ahhs come from watching them. But setting them off can be very dangerous.

Thousands of firework injuries are treated in hospital emergency departments every year across the United States. These injuries can cause permanent damage to the eyes, hands and face. And they’re caused by both fireworks that shoot up into the air, as well as ones that stay on the ground.

Burns are the most common type of injury when it comes to fireworks. The heat from a single sparkler can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit – that’s hotter than a blowtorch.

“Most burn injuries from fireworks occur in the week surrounding Independence Day,” said surgeon Dr. Sam Miotke, who works in Regions Hospital’s Burn Center. “And in the last several years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of kids being injured because they’re holding multiple sparklers.”

Rather than taking the risk, Dr. Miotke asks that parents consider safer options for their children, like glow sticks, confetti poppers or colored streamers. And he urges the entire family to grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back and let the experts handle the show.

Safety tips for if you do choose to use fireworks

We all want to make sure our loved ones are safe during our favorite summer activities. We apply sunscreen to protect skin from the sun, use bug spray to steer clear of ticks and mosquitoes, and have rules to keep kids safe in the water. 4th of July fireworks is no different.

Prevent firework accidents

If fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you decide to use them, be sure to follow these tips to prevent firework accidents:

• Never ignite devices in a container.
• Light one firework at a time and move away quickly.
• Never light fireworks indoors.
• Never light fireworks while consuming alcohol.

For the safety of everyone, use these tips to keep your family protected around fireworks:

• Have a designated, sober adult light any fireworks.
• Keep children and other observers at a safe distance. This means at least 5 feet away from sparklers; at least 20 feet away from fountain-style displays that don’t leave the ground; and at least 40 feet away from the site where fireworks that shoot into the air are launched. Burns are one of the most common childhood injuries, so this is an especially important firework safety tip to follow.
• Only light fireworks if there are no houses or flammable materials (like other fireworks) nearby.
• Keep a bucket of water close to fully extinguish fireworks.

Practice safe firework disposal

Once the fun is over, follow these tips to make sure your fireworks are safely disposed of:

• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
• Soak unused or wasted fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
• Dispose of unused fireworks, or securely store them, lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
• If a burn injury does occur, cool the skin with cool, not cold, water to stop the burning process. Cover the area with a dry, clean sheet or loose bandages, and seek medical attention.

As a Level 1 trauma center, Regions Hospital can treat minor to the most complex injuries in kids and adults – including burns. In fact, we’re the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center of its kind in the Twin Cities east metro.