Children at High Risk for Fireworks Injuries

With the Fourth of July drawing near, parents should be aware of the risk of children getting injured by fireworks.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website warns that, "From purchase to ignition, know how you and your family can stay safe and which fireworks are allowed in your state if fireworks are part of your July 4th celebration," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Never assume that a fireworks device is safe based on its size and never allow young children to play with or light fireworks.”

CPSC's annual death and injury report on fireworks also indicates that approximately 40 percent of estimated injuries occurred to children younger than 15 years of age.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology warns that sparklers typically burn at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit and cause 27 percent of all fireworks injuries, while bottle rockets can cause complete blindness. One in every six fireworks-related eye injuries results in permanent vision loss or blindness. 

Of the 9,000 fireworks-related injuries each year, 21 percent are eye injuries and more than half of the victims are young children or teenagers. For example:

• A 6-year-old child’s eye was severely injured after he lit an M-80 firework that he found in his home. He called 911 and underwent an immediate cornea transplant and lens replacement, and required several additional eye surgeries.

• A 12-year-old boy forgot to unwrap the fuse of a fountain firework, which exploded almost immediately in his face, seriously injuring his eye.

• After a man lit smoke bombs that created colored smoke, his 4-year-old son leaned in to get a closer look. Tar from the smoke bomb wick shot into the boy’s eye, causing a corneal abrasion.

Here are some EyeSmart fireworks safety tips:

• Never let children play with fireworks of any type.

• View fireworks from at least 500 feet away.

• Leave the lighting of fireworks to trained professionals.

• Respect safety barriers set up to allow pyrotechnicians to do their jobs safely.

• If you find unexploded fireworks, do not touch them. Immediately contact your local fire or police departments.

If you experience an eye injury during a fireworks accident, seek immediate medical help. For more fireworks safety tips or to find an eye M.D. in your area, visit www.geteyesmart.org.