According to Daniel Guzman, M.D., a pediatric emergency medicine physician with Cook Children’s Health Care System, children are treated in emergency departments every year for fireworks-related injuries, including burns, eye trauma and hand injuries. While many families associate these injuries with the person lighting the fireworks, children and other bystanders can also be at risk.

Although fireworks are a beloved Fourt of July tradition, Cook Children’s Health Care System, encourages families to celebrate safely and understand the risks fireworks can pose to children.

What type of fireworks injuries do children often experience?

Fireworks can cause serious injuries in a matter of seconds. Even legal consumer fireworks can burn at temperatures high enough to cause severe skin damage.

Some of the most common fireworks-related injuries include:

• Burns to the hands, fingers and face
• Eye injuries that can threaten vision
• Cuts and lacerations
• Hearing damage from loud explosions
• Falls or other injuries while running away from fireworks

Sparklers aren’t as safe as they seem

Sparklers are often considered a safer option for young children, but they can be surprisingly dangerous.

 “Many parents feel that sparklers are safe because they don’t explode, however, the risk for burns is significant because they can reach 2000˚F (1093˚C) which is hot enough to melt some metals and cause severe burns.” said Dr. Guzman.

 Young children may accidentally touch the hot wire, wave sparklers near others, or drop them onto bare feet. Using glow sticks instead of sparklers is a safer, brighter, and more fun way to celebrate.

Fireworks safety tips for families

The safest way for children to enjoy fireworks is by attending a professional public display rather than using fireworks at home according to Dr. Guzman.

If your family chooses to use legal consumer fireworks, help reduce the risk by following these safety tips:

• Never allow young children to handle or light fireworks.
• Keep children and pets a safe distance away from fireworks.
• Ensure a sober adult supervises all fireworks.
• Read and follow all instructions on the packaging.
• Never relight a firework that doesn’t ignite properly.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby.
• Never point or throw fireworks toward another person or pet.
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
• Soak used fireworks in water before throwing them away.
• Avoid homemade or illegal fireworks.

What should you do if a child is injured?

If a child is burned by fireworks, move them away from the source of the injury. Cool the burn with cool water as soon as possible, remove clothing from the burned areas and apply a gauze bandage or clean, soft cloth. Seek medical care attention right away, especially for burns involving the face, hands, feet, joints or large areas of skin.

If a child has an eye injury, “do not rub the eye or attempt to wash it out; call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department,” said Dr. Guzman.

Other Fourth of July safety reminders

Fireworks aren’t the only risk during Independence Day celebrations. Parents can also help keep children safe by:

• Never leaving children unattended near pools, lakes or other bodies of water.
• Making sure children wear properly fitted life jackets when appropriate.
• Keeping kids hydrated, especially during extreme heat.
• Taking frequent breaks from outdoor activities.
• Applying and reapplying sunscreen throughout the day.
• Grilling outdoors only, keeping children at least 3 feet away from hot grills.
• Keeping matches, lighters and lighter fluid out of children’s reach.

The safest celebration is a prepared one

The Fourth of July should be remembered for time with family, not a trip to the emergency department. Choosing professional fireworks displays, supervising children and practicing simple safety precautions can help families enjoy a fun and memorable holiday while reducing the risk of serious injuries.

Related Stories:

• Big Game, Big Responsibility: Water Safety

• Expert Tips for a Safe Spring Break: Aim for Safety

• Big Game, Big Safety: Preventing Hot Car Tragedies

While these popular summer spots are a great way to beat the summer heat, they can pose a danger to anyone not wearing shoes.

“Children often forget that the pavement is hot because they are wet and they aren’t feeling the heat as much, but any dry pavement that is out in the sun is a potential place for children’s feet to get burned quickly,” said Kara Starnes, D.O., medical director of Urgent Care at Cook Children’s.

Dr. Starnes says she’s seen patients who’ve suffered burns on their feet and suggests children wear water shoes while swimming so that if they step on hot pavement, their feet will be protected.

She’s also seen children injured from playing outside at home.

“If your children are like most, they like to run outside to play without a thought about shoes,” Dr. Starnes said. “An option to protect your children’s feet, especially at home, is to place interlocking foam pads down over pavement on patios or other areas where your children commonly play. While these pads do still get hot, it is not typically enough to cause a burn.”

So how do you know when burns are bad enough to seek medical attention? Dr. Starnes advises parents to seek treatment for burns on your child’s feet:

• If there are blisters forming on the bottom of the feet.
• If simple measures such as Tylenol or ibuprofen, aloe to the area or sunburn pain relieving sprays do not relieve symptoms.