4th of July fireworks warnings from health officials

The Fourth of July is coming up and you know what that means: Fireworks! However, fireworks do have the potential for traumatic injuries.

MADISON, Wis. - The Fourth of July is coming up and you know what that means: Fireworks! However, setting off fireworks can come with the potential for traumatic injuries.

UW Health doctors are reminding parents of the dangers ahead of the holiday weekend – and always keep fireworks away from children, officials say.

"Fireworks are magical, but can be dangerous, too," said Dr. Jeff Pothof with UW Health. "(People) get scared and they throw it, and now, it either lands on someone else or lands somewhere and starts a little fire."

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Sparklers can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Instead, health officials recommend glow sticks for kids. And when it comes to adult injuries from fireworks, it's common among bigger fireworks. If a firework doesn't go off, health officials say leave it.

"Those things that go in the air, they’re expensive, and when they don’t go off, everyone wants to figure out how to relight it so it does go off and sometimes you get away with it," Pothof said, "and sometimes you don’t."

UW Health recommends those who've been drinking alcohol avoid being involved in setting off fireworks. If you do happen to get burned, consider seeking medical help for treatment.

"If you sustain a hand burn this weekend and you’re thinking, ‘Maybe I should manage it myself,’ really think twice about that," said Pothof. "It’d be best to talk to a medical professional."

In fact, in 2019, an estimated 10,000 people in the U.S. sought medical attention for firework-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At UW Health, about 15 people were treated for fireworks-related trauma or burns in 2020.

Not every city or town allows people to set off their own fireworks, so it is a good idea to check what your community rules are depending on where you live.

No one should do the following with fireworks:

Experiment or make your own fireworks
Light more than one firework at a time
Re-light a "dud" firework
Point or throw fireworks at people
Carry fireworks in your pocket
Allow children to pick up used fireworks; some may still be active
Hold a lit firework in your hand
Consume alcohol or drugs when lighting fireworks

Safety tips for handling fireworks:

Hold a sparkler out in front of you with your arm completely extended
Stand at least three feet away from someone holding a sparkler
Observe your local and state laws
Have a designated sober adult light all legal fireworks
Light one firework at a time and move away quickly
Keep children and other observers at a safe distance and behind a protective barrier
Store fireworks out of the reach of children
Keep a bucket of water or a hose close for disposal of fireworks

If a burn injury does occur

Stop, drop and roll if your clothing catches fire, and then immediately douse in cool water
Cool the burn with cool (not cold) water to stop the burning process
Remove all clothing and jewelry from the injured area
Cover the area with a dry clean sheet or loose bandages
Seek medical attention

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