Fireworks are a part of many people's New Year celebrations, but they can sometimes lead to accidents. Welcome 2023 safely by following some key fireworks safety tips.

Fireworks can cause injuries in people, children and adults alike. Such injuries increased by 25% from 2006 to 2021, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The agency recorded an estimated 11,500 injuries and "at least" nine deaths involving fireworks last year.

"It's imperative that consumers know the risks involved in using fireworks, so injuries and tragedies can be prevented," CPSC Chair Alex Hoehn-Saric said back in June. "The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch the professional displays."

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For those wishing to use fireworks to ring in the new year, here are some important safety tips to keep in mind. (Courtesy: the CPSC, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the National Safety Council (NSC) and The Nemours Foundation)

  • Always keep a bucket of cold water or garden hose nearby in case of "fire or mishap." In 2018, fireworks started an estimated 19,500 fires, causing 46 civilian injuries, five deaths and $105 million in property damage.
  • Do not use illegal fireworks and don't make them yourself either.
  • Make sure fireworks are legal in your area; only use the ones that are for consumer use and not for professional use.
  • Fireworks should not be ignited indoors or be pointed at another person. They should be used far away from houses, people and flammable materials.
  • Those who are impaired by alcohol or drugs should "never" use fireworks.
  • Children should not be allowed to ignite, handle or play with fireworks. Even sparklers can reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit (982 degrees Celsius), which is said to be "hot enough to melt gold." In 2021, sparklers accounted for about 1,100 firework injuries.
  • If older children are allowed to use fireworks, they should still be under adult supervision. In 2018, children less than 15 years old accounted for 36% of firework-related injuries.
  • Also keep your pets in mind, as animals have sensitive hearing. It would be best to keep them indoors to prevent them from getting injured or running away.
  • People should only light fireworks one at a time. Do not try to re-ignite or touch the ones that did not fully ignite.
  • It's best for people who use fireworks, as well as those around them to wear safety eyewear. They should also move back as soon as the firework is ignited.
  • "Never" hold a firework in your hands once it's already lighted.
  • Once done, spent and unused fireworks should be soaked in water before being discarded.
New Year
Pictured: Representative image of sparklers. S. Hermann & F. Richter