With the Fourth of July right around the corner along with the customary firework celebrations, it is important to remember key points of firework safety. Fireworks can be very dangerous and if used carelessly or recklessly, can cause serious injuries or even death.

Every year in the United States, approximately 2,400 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for eye injuries caused by fireworks. Twenty-five percent of those eye injuries result in permanent vision loss or blindness.

Here are some tips for avoiding eye and other injuries from fireworks courtesy of the blog of Oregon personal injury lawyer Tom D’Amore ^[1]:

• Never allow children to play with fireworks
• Read and follow all firework instructions
• Make sure that others are out of range before lighting fireworks
• Never try to relight a firework that has malfunctioned
• Keep a bucket of water nearby in case of fire
• Fireworks should be lit away from houses, dry leaves and other flammable materials. Only light fireworks on a flat smooth surface
• Avoid bottle rockets. These are the most dangerous type of firework because they can fire erratically and injure bystanders
• Protect your eyes with safety goggles or safety glasses when using fireworks. Regular glasses or sunglasses offer little or no protection
• Never put fireworks in glass bottles, tin cans or clay pots because these objects can shatter and cause eye injuries
• Use fireworks outdoors only
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix
• Never use homemade fireworks or explosives.