Lighting fireworks in the
backyard or nearby field might seem like a fun and festive way to celebrate with the kids. But fireworks can be dangerous, especially for children and teens. Each year, thousands of people are injured by consumer fireworks, many of them young people. Most of these injuries occur in the weeks leading up to and just after the 4th of July.
Here's why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends leaving any fireworks to trained professionals, plus ideas for safer festivities.
Common injuries from fireworks
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received reports of 15 fireworks-related deaths and about 13,000 injuries in 2025. Most happened when the fireworks were misused, or when fireworks were misused or malfunctioned.
Overall, burns accounted for about 38% of emergency department visits. Other common injuries included:
Safer ways to celebrate on the 4th of July
Watch fireworks from a safe distance
Professional fireworks shows are going to be more spectacular, and safer, than backyard fireworks. Enjoy them at a safe distance, at least 500 feet away from the fireworks launch site. This will help avoid injuries and also protect your child's hearing.
Fireworks and firecrackers can be as loud as
150 decibels—a lot louder than what's considered a safe listening level (75–80 decibels). At close distance, even one loud burst is enough to cause some permanent
hearing damage.
Stay away from unexploded (dud) fireworks
If you find any
unexploded or "dud" fireworks that fell to the ground, they may still go off. Do not touch it. Keep your distance and call your local fire or police department right away.
Check wildfire risk and air quality conditions
Fireworks can pose serious risks in areas with dry conditions or wildfire danger. Local officials may cancel displays or restrict fireworks use during high-risk periods.
Safer alternatives include drone or laser light shows, which are becoming more common in many communities.
Wildfires can also impact air quality, which may affect children, especially those with asthma or other breathing conditions. Check local advisories before heading out.
Are sparklers safe for kids?
They're not. Sparklers may seem relatively harmless, as fireworks go. If you think about it, though, on any other day of the year would you hand your child matches or a flaming candle to play with? Probably, a hard no.
According to CPSC data, nearly half of fireworks injuries to children under age 5 are related to sparklers. In fact, there were about 1,300 emergency department-treated injuries that involved sparklers in 2025. Surprised? Consider this:
Tip: Wave a flag (or glow stick) instead of a sparkler!
Remember
Even if fireworks are legal to purchase and use in your community, they are not safe around children.
You work so hard all year long to protect your child....
Don't let the 4th of July mess with your common sense.
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