Fireworks and Eye Safety: Protecting Your Vision This Summer

Fireworks are a cherished part of summer celebrations, but every year they cause thousands of serious injuries — many involving the eyes. Despite being sold legally and often marketed as family entertainment, fireworks are explosives capable of causing permanent vision loss, severe burns, and even death.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), eight people died and nearly 14,700 people were seriously injured by fireworks in the United States in 2024 alone — a dramatic 58% increase compared with the previous year. Nearly one in five fireworks injuries involved the eyes.

Even “Safe” Fireworks Can Be Dangerous

Many people believe that legal fireworks are safe if used carefully. Unfortunately, that is not always true.

Fireworks can malfunction unexpectedly, discharge in the wrong direction, or explode all at once. Even experienced, safety-conscious users can be seriously injured. Simple mistakes — such as holding a firework at the wrong angle or approaching a malfunctioning device — can have devastating consequences.

In some cases, injuries occur because the fireworks themselves are defective. The CPSC has reported that many consumer fireworks contain dangerous modifications, unsafe explosive materials, or altered fuses that increase the risk of malfunction.

The reality is that most fireworks injuries occur with legally purchased consumer fireworks.

Children and Bystanders Are Frequently Injured

One of the most concerning aspects of fireworks injuries is how often innocent bystanders are harmed. Children, family members, and spectators may suffer injuries even when they are not handling fireworks themselves.

Children age 15 and under account for nearly one-third of fireworks injuries, while teenagers ages 15 to 19 have some of the highest rates of emergency room visits related to fireworks.

Sparklers, commonly considered harmless, are especially dangerous. They burn at temperatures exceeding 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to melt metal. Sparklers alone are responsible for hundreds of injuries every year and can cause severe burns and blinding eye injuries within seconds.

Fireworks Can Cause Permanent Eye Damage

Fireworks-related eye injuries can be devastating. The force of an explosion combined with heat and chemicals can cause multiple forms of trauma at the same time.

Serious eye injuries may include:

• Corneal abrasions
• Chemical burns
• Thermal burns
• Retinal detachment
• Internal bleeding
• Rupture of the eyeball (globe rupture)
• Permanent vision loss or blindness

Some patients require emergency surgery, and in severe cases, vision cannot be restored.

What To Do If a Fireworks Eye Injury Occurs

An eye injury caused by fireworks is a true medical emergency. Immediate treatment may help preserve vision.

If an injury occurs:

• Do not rub the eye
• Do not rinse the eye with water
• Do not apply pressure
• Do not attempt to remove debris or objects from the eye
• Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen unless instructed by a physician
• Seek emergency medical care immediately or call 911

Fireworks Safety Tips

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional public display rather than using fireworks at home.

If you are around fireworks, follow these important safety recommendations:

• Wear ANSI-approved protective eyewear
• Keep a safe distance from all fireworks
• Never allow young children to handle fireworks or sparklers
• Never relight malfunctioning or “dud” fireworks
• Keep water nearby for emergencies
• Use fireworks only outdoors and away from homes or dry grass
• Never lean over fireworks while lighting them
• Closely supervise older children and teenagers

Protect Your Vision This Summer

Fireworks may last only a few seconds, but the injuries they cause can last a lifetime. Every year, ophthalmologists treat patients with severe and preventable eye injuries caused by fireworks.

This summer, protect yourself and your family by leaving fireworks to trained professionals, wearing proper eye protection, and keeping children away from dangerous fireworks products. Your eyesight is too valuable to risk.

Keeping Your Eyes Safe Around Fireworks

Preventing Eye Injuries Around Fireworks

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/fireworks-aerial-sparkler-accident-eye-injury#injury