Eye health resource
5 Ways to Prevent Fireworks-Induced Eye Trauma
Fireworks can cause serious eye injuries to users and bystanders. These safety basics explain how to reduce risk and what to do if an eye injury occurs.
Reviewed for accuracy by Justin Bazan, OD on .
Fireworks can cause blunt trauma, burns, cuts, penetrating injuries, and chemical injuries to the eye. Bystanders can be injured as well as the person lighting the firework.
1. Prefer professional fireworks displays
The safest approach is to leave fireworks to trained professionals and watch from the designated spectator area. Follow the event organizer’s safety perimeter and instructions.
2. Keep children away from consumer fireworks
Firecrackers, rockets, and similar devices can cause severe injuries. Sparklers also burn at extremely high temperatures and can injure the eyes and skin. Children should not handle fireworks as though they are toys.
3. Do not approach or relight a malfunctioning firework
A firework that did not ignite as expected may still discharge. Follow official product and local safety instructions rather than picking it up or attempting to relight it.
4. Protect the eyes when exposure is possible
People whose work legitimately places them near fireworks should use the protective equipment required for that setting. Ordinary glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses are not substitutes for appropriate safety eyewear.
5. Treat a firework eye injury as an emergency
Do not rub or press on the injured eye. Do not try to remove an object that is embedded in the eye. If the injury may involve penetration or rupture, protect the eye from pressure and seek emergency ophthalmic or emergency-department care immediately.
Chemical exposure is different: if a chemical has splashed into the eye and there is no visibly embedded object or obvious penetrating injury, begin flushing the eye promptly with clean water while emergency care is arranged. First aid differs because fireworks can cause several types of injury at once.
This article is safety education, not an emergency-service page for Park Slope Eye. A serious fireworks eye injury should be evaluated through appropriate emergency care without delay.