Fireworks are a popular part of many celebrations around the world. Whether you’re watching a Fourth of July display in the United States or enjoying fireworks during another holiday or festival, it’s important to keep safety in mind.

Fireworks can cause serious burns, eye injuries, and other emergencies. For someone living with chronic kidney disease (CKD), preventing injuries is especially important because healing may take longer for some people, and serious injuries or infections can be more complicated to manage.

This article is based on guidance from Prevent Blindness, the leading advocacy organization for eye health, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to help you celebrate safely while protecting your health.*

Fireworks Injuries Are More Common Than You Might Think

Many people assume that only the person lighting fireworks is at risk. In reality, family members, neighbors, and bystanders are also injured every year by fireworks that malfunction or explode unexpectedly.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), fireworks caused 15 deaths and an estimated 13,000 injuries in the United States in 2025. Burns accounted for 38% of all emergency department-treated injuries, and the hands and fingers were the most commonly injured body parts, followed by the head, face, and ears.

Another CPSC report from 2023 provides additional insight into who is most affected by these injuries. It found that:

• Nearly one-third (31%) of fireworks injuries involved children younger than 15 years old.
• Males accounted for 67% of all fireworks injuries.
• Approximately 6,400 injuries occurred during the weeks surrounding the Fourth of July, showing that the risk increases during holiday celebrations.

These numbers are a reminder that fireworks can be unpredictable, even when used carefully.

Why Fireworks Safety Matters If You Have CKD

Chronic kidney disease doesn’t automatically make you more likely to be injured by fireworks, but it can make recovering from an injury more challenging.

For example:

• Burns or cuts may take longer to heal, especially if you also have diabetes.
• Any open wound increases the risk of infection, which can be more serious in people with chronic health conditions.
• Some pain medications, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen, are generally not recommended for many people with CKD because they can further affect kidney function.
• A serious injury could lead to hospitalization, which is especially disruptive if you receive dialysis or have other ongoing medical needs.

The best way to avoid these complications is to prevent the injury from happening in the first place.

The Safest Way to Celebrate

Prevent Blindness recommends that nonprofessionals avoid using fireworks altogether. Instead, enjoy an organized public fireworks display conducted by trained professionals.

If you attend a public display:

• Stay behind designated safety barriers.
• Keep children well away from fireworks, including sparklers.
• Never try to relight or pick up fireworks that don’t explode.
• Follow instructions from event organizers and local officials.

If you’d rather skip fireworks altogether, there are many enjoyable alternatives below. These activities can be just as memorable without the added risk.

What to Do If Someone Is Injured

If a fireworks accident happens, seek medical attention immediately.

For an eye injury:

• Do not rub the eye.
• Do not rinse it with water.
• Do not apply pressure.
• Loosely protect the eye with a clean paper cup or similar shield.
• Go to the nearest emergency department right away.

For burns:

• Cool the burn with cool (not ice-cold) running water for several minutes.
• Cover it with a clean, dry dressing.
• Do not apply butter, ointments, or home remedies.
• Seek medical care for large, deep, or blistering burns.

If you have CKD, do not take over-the-counter pain medications without checking with your healthcare provider, especially NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen, since they may not be safe for your kidneys.

Learn more about Pain Medications and Kidney Disease.

Bottom Line

Holiday celebrations should create lasting memories—not lasting injuries. Most fireworks-related injuries can be prevented by choosing safer ways to celebrate and knowing what to do in an emergency.

Whether you’re celebrating Independence Day in the United States or another special occasion where fireworks are part of the festivities, taking a few simple precautions can help protect your health. If you have chronic kidney disease, staying injury-free also helps you stay on track with your treatment and avoid unnecessary complications, so you can focus on enjoying time with family and friends.

Sources

• Prevent Blindness. “Preventing Fireworks Eye Injuries.” preventblindness.org
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. “Fireworks Safety Center (2025 Safety Information and Injury Data)” cspc.gov
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. “2023 Fireworks Annual Report.” cspc.gov
  National Kidney Foundation. (February 21, 2025) “Pain Medications and Kidney Disease”. kidney.org