FIREWORKS SAFETY ALERT ~
Fireworks can brighten Independence Day celebrations, and proper fireworks safety can help keep the festivities going longer, protecting spectators from injury.
Staff Writer (2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. – As July 4th celebrations near, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging the public to prioritize fireworks safety. Because in 2024, there were 11 reported fireworks-related deaths, most involving misuse and device misfire/malfunctions.
An estimated 14,700 people were injured by fireworks last year – a sharp increase of about 38% in deaths and about 52% in injuries respectively compared to 2023. There were an estimated 1,700 emergency room treated injuries in 2024 involving sparklers.
SAFETY ALERT TIPS
Fireworks injuries are real. Always remember the following safety tips when interacting with fireworks:
• Use extreme caution when lighting fireworks in the wind. Keep spectators where the wind is blowing smoke and debris away from them.
• Never smoke or consume alcohol when lighting fireworks.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
• Steer clear of others setting off fireworks, they can backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.
• Never attempt to make or alter any fireworks or firework devices.
• Always have a fire extinguisher or water supply, such as a hose or bucket of water, nearby.
• Only light one firework at a time and never attempt to re-light or fix a “dud” firework.
• After a firework has finished burning, douse it with plenty of water before throwing it away to prevent starting a trash fire.
• Be considerate of individuals with PTSD and other types of medical conditions. The noise can cause severe stress and reaction in neighbors.
• Think about pets. Animals have sensitive ears and can be very frightened or stressed by fireworks sounds.
< My Thoughts > "Fireworks injuries are real."
Consider having a family USA Birthday Party where participants receive safe noisemakers, glow sticks, red-white-blue ribbon twirlers, individual American flags; and, of course a birthday cake with ice cream. We have low-calorie cheesecake, topped with bananas, strawberries and blueberries, and smokeless, 'safe non-toxic' birthday candles, instead of ice cream and cake.
Commercial Fireworks Sparklers burn as hot as a blowtorch at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,093 degrees Celsius), and that's enough to burn some metals. These Sparkler injuries accounted for over 900 fireworks-related emergency room visits in 2024, second to only firecrackers with 1,600+ visits, according to one report.
It is also courteous to notify your neighbors when you will be setting off fireworks. Let them know of your planned fireworks activities, especially families with young children or pets, or veterans who may suffer from PTSD as the noise from fireworks may be startling.
While many people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may avoid fireworks, using earplugs or headphones to try to drown noise out. For those who are ready, or need to, arrange for sufferers to talk to a therapist if the fireworks triggers their PTSD.
Symptoms of PTSD may include:
People with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) typically are highly alert to any noise, movement, or change that could signal danger.
< My Thoughts > "...could signal danger."
To the sensitive, with or without PTSD, bright, flashing, noisy, exploding fireworks could signal danger. The possible 'sensory stimulation' of the unexpected noises of fireworks can trigger 'fight or flight' syndrome in many humans and animals. In addition to the smoke, persons with autism may be sensitive to the unwanted 'metals' emitted into the air from those fireworks explosions.
Fireworks release gases such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, aluminum, manganese and cadmium. After dark, we take the kids and the pets in the car to view the local fireworks, away from the smoke. We play soothing music to keep away the distant fireworks explosion noises. If the fireworks become too distressing, we turn around and drive home. Happy 4th of July!
REFERENCE:
Staff Writer (2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. CPSC Urges Fireworks Safety Ahead of July 4th Holiday. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Retrieved online from – https://www.cpsc.gov › News-Releases › 2025 › CPSC/
Haruvi-Lamdan, N., Horesh, D., et al. (2018). PTSD & autism spectrum disorder... PubMed, National Library of Medicine. Retrieved online from – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28726442/
End of Fireworks Safety Alert.
Thank you so much for sharing, commenting, and 'liking' on Facebook!
Regards,
Sara Luker
Fireworks can brighten Independence Day celebrations, and proper fireworks safety can help keep the festivities going longer, protecting spectators from injury.
Staff Writer (2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. – As July 4th celebrations near, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging the public to prioritize fireworks safety. Because in 2024, there were 11 reported fireworks-related deaths, most involving misuse and device misfire/malfunctions.
An estimated 14,700 people were injured by fireworks last year – a sharp increase of about 38% in deaths and about 52% in injuries respectively compared to 2023. There were an estimated 1,700 emergency room treated injuries in 2024 involving sparklers.
SAFETY ALERT TIPS
Fireworks injuries are real. Always remember the following safety tips when interacting with fireworks:
• Use extreme caution when lighting fireworks in the wind. Keep spectators where the wind is blowing smoke and debris away from them.
• Never smoke or consume alcohol when lighting fireworks.
• Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
• Steer clear of others setting off fireworks, they can backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.
• Never attempt to make or alter any fireworks or firework devices.
• Always have a fire extinguisher or water supply, such as a hose or bucket of water, nearby.
• Only light one firework at a time and never attempt to re-light or fix a “dud” firework.
• After a firework has finished burning, douse it with plenty of water before throwing it away to prevent starting a trash fire.
• Be considerate of individuals with PTSD and other types of medical conditions. The noise can cause severe stress and reaction in neighbors.
• Think about pets. Animals have sensitive ears and can be very frightened or stressed by fireworks sounds.
< My Thoughts > "Fireworks injuries are real."
Consider having a family USA Birthday Party where participants receive safe noisemakers, glow sticks, red-white-blue ribbon twirlers, individual American flags; and, of course a birthday cake with ice cream. We have low-calorie cheesecake, topped with bananas, strawberries and blueberries, and smokeless, 'safe non-toxic' birthday candles, instead of ice cream and cake.
Commercial Fireworks Sparklers burn as hot as a blowtorch at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,093 degrees Celsius), and that's enough to burn some metals. These Sparkler injuries accounted for over 900 fireworks-related emergency room visits in 2024, second to only firecrackers with 1,600+ visits, according to one report.
It is also courteous to notify your neighbors when you will be setting off fireworks. Let them know of your planned fireworks activities, especially families with young children or pets, or veterans who may suffer from PTSD as the noise from fireworks may be startling.
While many people with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may avoid fireworks, using earplugs or headphones to try to drown noise out. For those who are ready, or need to, arrange for sufferers to talk to a therapist if the fireworks triggers their PTSD.
Symptoms of PTSD may include:
- Extreme vigilance and arousal
- Nightmares or insomnia
- Negative changes in mood
- Intrusive thoughts of the trauma
- Avoidance or social isolation
People with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) typically are highly alert to any noise, movement, or change that could signal danger.
< My Thoughts > "...could signal danger."
To the sensitive, with or without PTSD, bright, flashing, noisy, exploding fireworks could signal danger. The possible 'sensory stimulation' of the unexpected noises of fireworks can trigger 'fight or flight' syndrome in many humans and animals. In addition to the smoke, persons with autism may be sensitive to the unwanted 'metals' emitted into the air from those fireworks explosions.
Fireworks release gases such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, aluminum, manganese and cadmium. After dark, we take the kids and the pets in the car to view the local fireworks, away from the smoke. We play soothing music to keep away the distant fireworks explosion noises. If the fireworks become too distressing, we turn around and drive home. Happy 4th of July!
REFERENCE:
Staff Writer (2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. CPSC Urges Fireworks Safety Ahead of July 4th Holiday. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Retrieved online from – https://www.cpsc.gov › News-Releases › 2025 › CPSC/
Haruvi-Lamdan, N., Horesh, D., et al. (2018). PTSD & autism spectrum disorder... PubMed, National Library of Medicine. Retrieved online from – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28726442/
End of Fireworks Safety Alert.
Thank you so much for sharing, commenting, and 'liking' on Facebook!
Regards,
Sara Luker
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