Who’s the most at risk of being injured by fireworks? Teenagers from 15 to 19 years old are most likely to end up in the emergency room with fireworks-related injuries; children from 5 to 9 years old had the second-highest rate, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Injuries most frequently involved hands and fingers (an estimated 35%) with head, face  and ears the second-most common. About 42% of injuries treated in emergency departments were for burns.

The fireworks themselves can be problematic, even if you act safely – in 2023, the commission found, about 18% of the fireworks it tested contained noncompliant components, including fuse violations, or contained prohibited chemicals and pyrotechnic materials that are considered hazardous chemicals.

Here are some tips to stay safe and out of the emergency room over the Fourth of July holiday

  • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to melt some metals.
  • In Ohio, it’s illegal for children under 18 to handle what are called 1.4G (consumer grade) fireworks such as bottle rockets and Roman candles. They’re also supposed to stay at least 150 feet away from the discharge point of aerial fireworks.
  • Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
  • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, in case of fire or other mishap. 
  • Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
  • Never pick up or try to relight or handle fireworks that didn’t light correctly. Soak them with water and throw them away.
  • Never point or throw fireworks (including sparklers) at anyone.
  • Never place any part of your body directly over fireworks when you’re lighting the fuse.
  • Move to a safe distance immediately after you light fireworks.
  • After fireworks finish burning, to prevent a trash fire, douse with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding. 

The rules:

The state relaxed its rules about setting off fireworks on private property, with fireworks allowed on certain days at certain times, but individual municipalities can still regulate in their own areas and have more restrictive rules, so be sure to check the rules where you live.

In Akron:

Residents are prohibited from discharging fireworks on their property, nor can they discharge commercial- or consumer-grade fireworks without a permit.

Editor-in-Chief (she/her)
Zake has deep roots in Northeast Ohio journalism. She was the managing editor for multimedia and special projects at the Akron Beacon Journal, where she began work as a staff photographer in 1986. Over a 20-year career, Zake worked in a variety of roles across departments that all help inform her current role as Signal Akron's editor in chief. Most recently, she was a journalism professor and student media adviser at Kent State University, where she worked with the next generation of journalists to understand public policy, environmental reporting, data and solutions reporting. Among her accomplishments was the launch of the Kent State NewsLab, an experiential and collaborative news commons that connects student reporters with outside professional partners.