CHRISTUS Health urges fireworks safety ahead of Fourth of July
(EAST TEXAS) – As families gear up for Fourth of July festivities, CHRISTUS Health is urging the community to use extra caution with fireworks and to follow proper safety practices to prevent holiday injuries.
According to the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory, more than 13,000 people suffered fireworks-related injuries last year. The agency also reported that 25% of those injured required hospitalization.
Heather Biddy, trauma manager for CHRISUS Good Shepherd Health System, said even small fireworks can cause severe harm.
“People often underestimate how quickly fireworks can turn dangerous,” she said. “We see injuries every year that could have been prevented with just a few simple precautions.”
She said the safest option is always attending a professional fireworks display. For those who choose to use consumer fireworks, she emphasized several key safety practices:
- Avoid fireworks while impaired: Alcohol or drug use slows reaction time and increases risk.
- Never ignite fireworks indoors or in your hand: Even brief contact can cause burns or traumatic injuries.
- Keep a safe distance after lighting: Move away immediately once a fuse is lit.
- Light only one firework at a time: Multiple fireworks increase the chance of misfires.
- Buy from licensed, reputable vendors: Illegal or poorly made fireworks are more likely to malfunction.
- Even at a distance, never point fireworks in the direction of people or crowds
Children remain especially vulnerable, she said.
The National Fire Protection Association reports that sparklers alone account for roughly a quarter of all fireworks-related injuries. Sparklers can burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt metal.
“Sparklers look harmless, but they’re one of the biggest hazards for kids,” Biddy said. “If children are using them, they need close supervision and protective footwear. We want families to enjoy the holiday, but we also want them to avoid spending it in the emergency room.”