4th of July Safety Tips

The 4^th of July is the perfect holiday to get the family together, whether you’re making s’mores by the fire, roasting hot dogs on the grill, or camping by a lake. You might have a yearly tradition to go out and see a fireworks show – and in some states, it’s legal to buy your own fireworks and use them at home.

But all these fun activities to celebrate the 4^th come with risks.

“A number of injuries that occur each year happen in the weeks before and after the 4^th of July,” says Michael Flaherty, DO, a Mass General Brigham for Children pediatric critical care physician. “We see a peak in injuries related to burns and water safety. Being mindful of the things you can do for your children to stay safe is so important this time of year.”

Dr. Flaherty shares important safety tips you can practice this 4^th of July to help keep your loved ones safe and focused on the good times.

Firework safety tips

Fireworks and the 4^th of July go hand-in-hand, dating back to the very first 4^th of July celebration in 1777. But while the colorful sparks and exciting booms are a holiday staple, it’s important to keep in mind that fireworks can be extremely dangerous.

Handling fireworks can lead to extreme burns and other serious injuries, usually on the hands, arms, and legs. In 2023, emergency room providers treated 9,700 people for injuries from fireworks, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Children aged 5 to 9 years old and teenagers aged 15 to 19 had the highest rates of firework injury.

“In general, children should be nowhere near or around fireworks that are being ignited, even in places where fireworks are legal and were purchased by someone 21 or older,” Dr. Flaherty emphasizes.

The safest option is to leave fireworks to the professionals. Your city or town likely hosts firework displays around and on the holiday. Make sure you stick to viewing fireworks from authorized locations and don’t try getting closer to the action.

How to prevent firework injuries

Fireworks aren’t legal for private use in every state, so check your state’s laws if you want to purchase and use your own fireworks. If you’re traveling to another state for the holiday, make sure that location allows private use, too.

If you choose to ignite your own fireworks, here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

• Always keep children away from fireworks, especially when setting up and once they’re ignited. Children shouldn’t play with unlit fireworks.
• Avoid alcohol or drugs when operating fireworks. These cloud your judgement and increase the chances of injury.
• Keep a water supply nearby, like a garden hose, bucket of water, or fire extinguisher.
• Never put any part of your body over the firework device while lighting it.
• Light one firework at a time and move back to a safe distance relatively quickly.
• Never try to relight or pick up a firework that didn’t fully ignite. There’s a chance it could ignite in your hand. Douse water on any fireworks that don’t fully ignite.

How to dispose of fireworks

Dr. Flaherty recommends dousing all spent fireworks with water. This prevents them from catching fire in your trash. You can spray them with a water hose or dump a bucket of water on them.

Are sparklers dangerous?

Sparklers are considered fireworks. They may seem like a fun activity for children to enjoy on the 4^th, but Dr. Flaherty warns that kids shouldn’t hold sparklers or stand near them.

“I would say no sparklers for kids, period,” says Dr. Flaherty. “I know they seem fun, but every year, a lot of the hand, finger and foot injuries that we see are from sparklers emitting really hot sparks.”

So how hot do sparklers burn? According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, sparklers burn up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s hot enough to melt certain metals.

“If the sparks from that sparkler land on a toe or an extremity, or if someone touches it, they can cause second- or third-degree burns,” says Dr. Flaherty.

For adults that choose to use sparklers, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Keep ignited sparklers away from your eyes and extremities. Hold the safe end of the sparkler with a firm grip.
• Avoid pointing the sparkler at other people, and never throw it.
• Douse the sparkler in water when it fully burns out.

Swimming pool safety and other water safety tips for kids

Swimming is another fun activity on the 4^th that many families enjoy. But whether it’s a swimming pool, an ocean, lake, or other source of water, there are important safety tips to keep in mind. Unfortunately, drowning can happen at any time, and it’s more common than people may think.

“For everyone, make sure that folks are swimming in authorized areas,” says Dr. Flaherty. If an area is closed off to the public, it’s probably for a good reason. The water may be too deep or rocky, and if it’s the ocean, the waves may be too strong to safely swim in.

For parents and caregivers of young children, Dr. Flaherty says, it’s all about supervision.

“Make sure one adult always has the job of watching the children, and that’s their only job. It’s not to socialize or grab supplies for the grill, it’s just to watch the kids,” Dr. Flaherty recommends. “It can be for a short spurt, where someone rotates out every 15 minutes. You can make it a game and have a bracelet that you pass around. That way attention is always dedicated to the children.”

Other water safety tips include:

• Learn to swim. Make sure your child knows how to swim and feels comfortable in whatever body of water they’re in. Parents and caregivers should also feel comfortable with their own swimming abilities in case they need to help.
• Stay within arm’s reach of young children. If you’re supervising the kids, make sure you stay close enough to jump in next to them at a moment’s notice, or stay in the water with them.
• Avoid alcohol or drugs while swimming. These increase the risk of drowning, and studies show that alcohol use is involved in up to 7 in 10 deaths related to water recreation. Talk to teenagers about the dangers of these substances while swimming.

Fire pit and bonfire safety

Backyard fire safety is another area to keep in mind this 4^th of July, especially when it comes to children.

If you’re using a BBQ grill, fire pit, or other fire source outside, make sure an adult is close by and supervising at all times. It’s always reasonable to keep children a safe distance away to avoid the risk of burns. Keep a water source nearby, and when you’re done, extinguish the fire completely by dousing it with a bucket of water or garden hose.

But Dr. Flaherty emphasizes how fire pits pose a danger even after they’ve gone out.

“Depending on the ignition source, the ashes can remain really hot for 24 to 48 hours after the fire is gone,” he says. “Even if the fire pit doesn’t have an open flame, those coals and ash can still cause deep burns. Keep children away from them for up to a day or so after they’ve gone out and are no longer a risk.”

If your child does get burned, learn how to treat burns at home and when to seek medical care.

Other summer safety tips to keep in mind

Several summer health and safety tips, like wearing sunscreen and warding off bug bites, are important to keep in mind all season long. And for the 4^th of July, remember these firework and other safety tips to keep your family safe.

“These are times when people are finally outdoors, and they’re celebrating. That’s wonderful, and everyone should continue to celebrate in safe ways,” says Dr. Flaherty. “But it’s important to remember that every year, there are people who wind up in our emergency departments for preventable injuries. Just be mindful of the things you can do for you and your children to stay safe.”