Boston, MA – Fireworks are one of the biggest traditions of the Fourth of July, but they’re also responsible for thousands of emergency room visits and fires across the United States every year. As families gather across New England—from Connecticut to Maine—for Independence Day celebrations, safety officials are reminding residents that many of these injuries are entirely preventable.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Fire Protection Association, thousands of people are treated annually for fireworks-related injuries, with burns accounting for the largest share of cases during the weeks surrounding July 4. Fireworks also spark thousands of fires each year, many involving homes, vehicles, dumpsters, brush and other structures.
The Most Common Fireworks Injuries
- Burns to the hands, fingers and arms
- Eye injuries that can result in permanent vision loss
- Facial injuries from exploding devices
- Cuts and puncture wounds from malfunctioning fireworks
- Hearing damage from close-range blasts
- Leg and foot injuries caused by tipped or misfired fireworks
Children are especially vulnerable, but adults account for many injuries as well—often while lighting fireworks or attempting to relight devices that fail to ignite.
Fireworks Safety Tips
- Never relight a firework that doesn’t go off.
- Keep spectators a safe distance away.
- Keep children away from consumer fireworks, including sparklers.
- Have a bucket of water or garden hose nearby.
- Light one firework at a time and move away quickly.
- Leave fireworks to trained professionals whenever possible.
The New England region includes Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, where thousands of public and private fireworks displays are planned throughout the holiday weekend. Officials say a few extra precautions can help ensure Independence Day ends with memories—not a trip to the emergency room.
