Fireworks and Eye Safety – Safety Tips for the 4th of July

Baptist Eye Surgeons • June 25, 2020

While fireworks and Independence Day are a classic pair, you should still exercise caution when combining them. According to a recent report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), almost two-thirds of emergency room visits due to fireworks occurred between mid-June and mid-July of 2018.

Fireworks and eye safety are a huge concern at any time of year, but especially before and after the 4th of July. You need to know the risks fireworks pose to your eyes and vision, how to handle fireworks responsibly, and what to do if a fireworks-related injury were to occur.  

To help you be prepared, we’ll look at:

  • Fireworks and health
  • Safety tips for handling fireworks
  • What to do if your eyes are injured by fireworks

Fireworks can prove a huge hazard to your vision as well as your overall health. Fortunately, fireworks-related injuries to your eyes and other parts of your body are easily avoided with the right knowledge and precautions.

Fireworks and Health

According to the CPSC report, emergency rooms reported an estimated 9,100 injuries caused by fireworks in 2018. Of those 9,100 fireworks-related injuries, they estimate that 5,600 injuries occurred between June 22 and July 22. That’s 62% of all injuries caused by fireworks occurring in the span of a month!

Very few deaths occurred from fireworks-related injuries in 2018 – only 5. 19% of those cases were ocular injuries. While eye injuries may not be life-threatening, they can still result in a lot of pain and have the potential to greatly reduce your quality of life. 

The worst injuries caused by fireworks can result in:

  • The rupturing of your eyeball
  • Thermal burns
  • Chemical burns
  • Corneal abrasions
  • Retinal detachment

Conditions like retinal detachment can occur naturally as we age. Usually, it’s the result of the vitreous (the clear gel in the middle of the eye) shrinking or pulling away from the center of your eye. This eventually results in the tearing and eventual detachment of your retina. Without surgery, you run the risk of losing eye function and becoming blind.

However, in the case of eye injuries caused by fireworks, this condition can occur at a much younger age and impact the rest of your life, or the lives of your children.

Safety Tips for Handling Fireworks

Fortunately, serious eye injuries from fireworks are easily avoidable . The best way to avoid them is to never handle them at all and leave it to the professionals. Public fireworks shows are a great way to enjoy the spectacle of Independence Day from the safety of a park, your car, or even your living room.

Keep in mind that there are still safety concerns if you attend a live fireworks show. Don’t cross any boundaries that you’re restricted from entering. These areas are for professionals and have been sealed off for your safety.

You should also make sure not to touch any fireworks if you happen to stumble across them, even if they haven’t been set off. Instead, alert one of the event staff or someone from your local fire or police department. They’ll remove the unexploded fireworks from the area and dispose of them safely.

Fireworks and Eye Safety at Home

The dangers of fireworks are a lot more apparent at home. Roman candles and other projectile-styled fireworks pose an obvious threat of a firework spark in the eye. However, even fireworks that seem safe pose a serious threat to the safety of you and your family.

Take sparklers, for instance. According to the report from the CPSC, sparklers were the cause of 1,200 fireworks-related injuries in 2018. With a temperature that can reach over 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s extremely important to exercise caution and always supervise children when using them.

To use consumer fireworks safely, always make sure that you:

  • Prevent young children from playing with them.
  • Only let older children use them under close supervision.
  • Choose a clear area for setting them off.
  • Don’t attempt to relight malfunctioning fireworks.
  • Have a bucket of water handy to soak malfunctioning fireworks in.
  • Wait for other people to be out of range before lighting them.
  • Observe local laws and regulations when lighting fireworks, if they’re allowed.

You don’t have to live in fear of fireworks. You can have plenty of fun this summer as long as you exercise caution and practice safe handling procedures.

What to Do If Your Eyes Are Injured by Fireworks

As we’ve already shown, serious injuries from fireworks can lead to severe damage and even blindness. Thankfully, safety precautions are easy to follow if you are using fireworks at home.

But accidents do still happen. Eye injuries from fireworks can be a fusion of heat burns, blunt force trauma, and chemical exposure. That’s why you should treat all injuries from fireworks as medical emergencies and seek immediate medical attention. There are also certain things you should not do or you may make the injury worse.

If you experience an eye injury from fireworks, don’t :

  • Rub your eyes.
  • Rinse the wound.
  • Apply pressure to the wound.
  • Remove any debris from the wound.
  • Use any ointments painkillers that can thin your blood, like ibuprofen or aspirin.

No one plans on having to go to the emergency room for a firecracker injury. However, you should always have a plan and know what to do if the situation were to happen.

Fireworks are a time-honored way to celebrate the 4th of July. With that said, they also pose a clear danger to our ocular and overall health. Exercise caution when using them and provide plenty of supervision for older children that are using them. We hope that you never have to use it, but always have a plan in place if an emergency were to occur.

Baptist Eye Surgeons is an ophthalmological practice in Knoxville, TN, and Morristown, TN.   Visit our website to meet our doctors and learn more about our specialties, or give us a call at 865-579-3920 for more information or to schedule an appointment .

Night Vision Problems: Causes and When to See an Eye Doctor

June 30, 2026
Night vision problems can make everyday activities like driving at dusk, walking in poorly lit places, or adjusting to indoor lighting harder and sometimes unsafe. Trouble seeing in low light, called nyctalopia, is not a disease itself but a sign that something else may be affecting your eyes. Learning what causes night vision problems and when to get help is important for keeping your vision healthy. What Are Night Vision Problems? Night vision problems mean it is hard to see clearly in low light or darkness. Some people notice their eyes take longer to adjust when going from bright to dim places. Others may have trouble with glare from headlights, seeing less contrast, or things just looking dimmer at night. Mild changes in night vision can happen as you get older, but if your symptoms keep getting worse or do not go away, you should pay attention to them. Common Causes of Night Vision Difficulties There are several potential causes of night vision problems. Night vision problems can have many causes, from getting older to certain eye conditions, such as lens problems, leading to blurred vision and increased sensitivity to glare. They are one of the most common causes of poor night vision, especially in older adults. 1. Cataracts Cataracts cause clouding of the eye’s natural lens, leading to blurred vision and increased sensitivity to glare. They are one of the most common causes of poor night vision, especially in older adults. 2. Vitamin A Deficiency Vitamin A is important for keeping your retina healthy. If you do not get enough vitamin A, your eyes may have trouble adjusting to darkness, which can lead to night blindness. 3. Glaucoma Some types of glaucoma can affect your side vision and make it harder to see differences between light and dark. As the optic nerve gets damaged, seeing in low light can become more difficult. 4. Retinitis Pigmentosa This inherited eye condition slowly affects your ability to see at night and to the sides. Early signs often include trouble seeing in the dark. 5. Diabetes-Related Eye Disease Diabetic retinopathy can harm the blood vessels in your retina, which may cause blurry vision and make it harder to see at night. 6. Aging and Pupil Changes As people get older, their pupils do not react to light changes as quickly, and the retina becomes less sensitive. This naturally makes night vision worse over time. Symptoms to Watch For Night vision problems often develop slowly. Some common signs are: Difficulty seeing in low light or darkness Trouble driving at night due to glare from headlights Longer adjustment time when moving between light and dark environments Reduced contrast or clarity in dim settings Frequent squinting or eye strain in low light If these symptoms start to affect your daily life, it is a good idea to get a full eye check-up. When to See an Eye Doctor You should see an eye doctor if you notice new night vision problems, if they are getting worse, or if you have other changes in your vision. The doctor can run tests to find out what is causing the problem and suggest the right treatment. A full eye exam might include checking your retina, testing your field of vision, and taking images to look at your eye health. Finding problems early is very important for conditions like glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and retinal disorders, because early treatment can help protect your vision. Protecting Your Night Vision Not all causes of night vision loss can be prevented, but taking care of your eyes can lower your risk and help you see better. Some helpful steps are: Scheduling regular eye exams Handling chronic health conditions like diabetes Eating a diet rich in vitamin A and antioxidants Wearing proper corrective lenses if prescribed Avoiding driving with untreated vision changes Prioritizing Your Eye Health Night vision problems can be an early sign of eye disease. Since many eye problems develop slowly, having regular eye exams is one of the best ways to catch changes early and keep your vision healthy for the long term. If you have trouble seeing at night or notice any changes in your vision, making an appointment for an eye exam can help keep your eyes healthy and your vision clear in all types of light.
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