This information is meant to help guide healthcare decisions. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Every Fourth of July, families across Texas gather to celebrate with backyard barbecues, parades, and fireworks. While fireworks are a staple of Independence Day celebrations, they can also lead to serious injuries if not handled properly. Following a few simple fireworks safety tips can help prevent those injuries and keep the holiday fun for everyone.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of people are treated in emergency departments each year for fireworks-related injuries, with burns to the hands, face, and eyes being among the most common. Many of these injuries are preventable with the right precautions. For additional fireworks safety recommendations, read our previous blog, Firework Safety: Putting Your Hands in Harm’s Way.

In a recent episode of Cup of Joe, OakBend Medical Center CEO Joe Freudenberger sat down with Richmond Fire Chief Mike Legoudes Jr. to discuss common fireworks injuries, safety tips, and when it’s important to seek emergency medical care.

Common Fireworks Injuries

Fireworks may seem harmless, but even legal consumer fireworks can cause life-changing injuries.

Chief Legoudes shared that during the Fourth of July, the Richmond Fire Department most often responds to:

• Burns
• Hand and extremity injuries
• Eye injuries
• Injuries to the head

While burns are the injuries most people expect, all of these incidents can quickly turn a holiday celebration into a medical emergency. Eye injuries are especially concerning because they can result in permanent vision loss.

One of the Biggest Fireworks Hazards Happens After the Show

While many people focus on safely lighting fireworks, one of the biggest hazards actually happens after the celebration ends. Used fireworks can remain hot long after they’ve stopped sparking. If they’re thrown into a trash can too soon, they can ignite nearby combustible materials and quickly lead to a garage or house fire. As Chief Legoudes explained, “The fireworks are used and you think that they’re cooled off and they’re out, and people will put them in a trash can with other flammable items. Often times that trash can goes right in the garage. Over time, the fireworks will smolder and ignite other materials, ignite the trash can, ignite the house, and then we’ve got a much larger problem.”

How to Properly Dispose of Fireworks

Before throwing fireworks away:

• Wait at least 20–30 minutes after use.
• Place used fireworks in a bucket of water.
• Allow them to soak thoroughly before disposing of them.

Taking these simple steps can help prevent fires long after the celebration has ended.

Never Relight a Dud Firework

A dud firework isn’t necessarily safe. Even if it doesn’t ignite, it can still explode unexpectedly if handled improperly.

If a firework doesn’t go off, never try to relight it. The fuse may have already burned down, causing the firework to explode much sooner than expected if you attempt to ignite it again. Instead, keep your distance and leave the firework alone for 20 to 30 minutes to allow it to cool completely. Once enough time has passed, carefully place the firework in a bucket of water and let it soak thoroughly before disposing of it. These simple steps can help prevent serious injuries and accidental fires.

Protect Your Eyes, Ears, and Hands

When it comes to fireworks safety, creating distance between yourself and the firework is one of the simplest ways to reduce your risk of injury.

As Chief Mike Legoudes puts it, “Distance is your friend.” Whether you’re lighting fireworks or watching from nearby, keeping as much space as possible between yourself and the ignition point can help protect your eyes, ears, face, and hands if something goes wrong.

If you’re the person lighting the fireworks, consider wearing safety glasses and hearing protection. If you don’t have protective equipment, step back immediately after lighting the fuse and keep spectators, especially children, at a safe distance.

When Should You Go to the Emergency Room for a Fireworks Injury?

• Burns to the face, hands, feet, or eyes
• Deep or extensive burns
• Eye injuries or changes in vision
• Significant bleeding
• Difficulty hearing after an explosion
• Loss of consciousness
• Any injury that appears severe or continues to worsen

If you or a loved one experiences a serious fireworks injury, don’t delay seeking treatment. OakBend Medical Center’s No Wait ER provides 24/7 emergency care at our Richmond and Wharton locations, where our experienced emergency teams are ready to care for burns, eye injuries, and other fireworks-related emergencies when every second matters.

Fireworks Safety Is a Community Responsibility

Myth: Sparklers are safe for children.

False.

Sparklers burn at temperatures exceeding 1,200°F, making them hot enough to cause serious burns within seconds. Young children should always be closely supervised around sparklers.

Myth: Once fireworks stop burning, they’re safe to throw away.

False.

Fireworks can continue generating heat long after they appear to be extinguished. Always soak them in water before disposal.

Myth: A bucket of water is all you need nearby.

A bucket of water is an important first step, but Chief Legoudes also recommends having a garden hose or fire extinguisher readily available in case a fire starts.

Fireworks Safety Tips for a Safe Fourth of July

If possible, attend a professional fireworks display instead of lighting fireworks at home.

Professional shows are conducted by trained experts in controlled environments, reducing the risk of injury while providing an impressive display. The National Safety Council also recommends attending public fireworks displays whenever possible instead of using consumer fireworks at home.

If you choose to use legal consumer fireworks, remember these important safety tips:

• Never hold fireworks while lighting them.
• Light one firework at a time.
• Keep children and pets a safe distance away.
• Never relight a malfunctioning firework.
• Keep a garden hose or fire extinguisher nearby.
• Soak used fireworks before throwing them away.

Celebrate Safely This Fourth of July

Fireworks are meant to bring people together—not send someone to the emergency room. A few simple fireworks safety tips can help protect you, your family, and your community throughout the holiday weekend.

By following basic fireworks safety guidelines, supervising children, disposing of fireworks properly, and recognizing when to seek emergency care, you can help ensure your Independence Day celebration is both fun and safe.

As Joe Freudenberger emphasized during the conversation, while OakBend’s emergency departments are always here to provide expert care when it’s needed, the goal is to help people avoid preventable injuries in the first place.

This Fourth of July, celebrate responsibly, look out for one another, and make safety part of the celebration.