I Would Never Touch Fireworks – Our Hands Are Too important to Endanger

Hand specialist and surgeon Daniel Gittings M.D., of Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI), would never touch a firework; he has seen the devastating impact firework-related injuries can have.

“Our hands are just too important,” said Dr. Gittings. “Fireworks harbor serious risk to injury, burns or worse.”

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s most recent data, the 2023 Fireworks Annual Report, there were an estimated 9,700 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2023. Firecrackers, sparklers and aerial devices were among the top sources of injuries and hands and fingers were the most commonly injured body parts, followed by the head, face and ears.

Dr. Gittings’ advice is that if you experience a firework injury, go straight to the nearest emergency room as soon as you can. He also added that it’s important to wrap the injury in a slightly damp clean cloth to keep it moist.

“Don’t use ice, even though it would seem like a good idea to cool the burn,” he stressed. “Ice can actually cause further damage by constricting blood vessels and slow down healing, so instead use cool (not cold) water for a few minutes to initially treat the burn.”

Dr. Gittings thinks most fireworks injuries are preventable. “With a few simple precautions, you can stay safe this July 4.”