Safe and Spectacular: Tips to celebrate America's 250th birthday safely with your kids

Fireworks and sparkler safety tips for kids this Fourth of July

For many families, setting off fireworks is a favorite summer tradition, especially on or around the Fourth of July, but fireworks are unpredictable. It's essential that parents keep children far away from where those fireworks are set off.  

This year's celebration is an especially big one: July 4, 2026, marks America's 250th birthday—the Semiquincentennial, also known as America250. With the Fourth falling on a Saturday and communities across the country planning extra-large festivities, families can expect more fireworks displays, backyard gatherings, and sparklers than a typical year. That makes firework safety more important than ever this summer, so a little extra caution can keep the celebration fun and injury-free for everyone.

A 2022 poll of more than 2,000 parents of children ages 3-18 was conducted and suggests that some parents may need to be more diligent to ensure a safe environment that minimizes these risks and protects children from firework injuries. Only 1 in 5 said children stayed at least 100 feet away from where fireworks were being set off, and one-third said their children or teens helped set off fireworks in the past two years. 

A 2022 report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) finds a significant upward trend in fireworks-related injuries. Between 2006 and 2021, injuries with fireworks climbed 25% in the U.S., according to CPSC estimates. In 2025, the CPSC received reports of at least 15 deaths and an estimated 13,000 emergency department-treated injuries linked to fireworks misuse and malfunction. 

But what about sparklers—are they safe for kids? Many parents assume they're a harmless alternative, but sparklers burn anywhere from 1,000-3,000 degrees Fahrenheit and can cause serious burns if not handled properly. Last year, there were an estimated 1,300 injuries involving sparklers alone in the U.S.

How far away should kids stay from fireworks? We recommend following these firework and sparkler safety tips to keep kids safe: 

• Stand back. Stay at least 100 feet away from where any fireworks are set off.  

• Buy legal fireworks. If setting off your own fireworks, choose ones that are clearly labeled for consumer use and follow directions and safety guidelines carefully.  

• Protect eyes and prevent fires. Wear goggles or other eye protection and keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of a fire, to safely soak fireworks, or for other mishaps. 

• Only light one firework at a time. Don’t try to relight the duds. Wait until fireworks cool before picking them up, possibly even the next day. 

• Education and communication are key. Consider your child's age and maturity level before allowing them to use sparklers. Young children shouldn't be allowed to play with neither fireworks nor sparklers. Teach older kids how to hold sparklers below the point where they will burn down and to put the sparkler in a bucket of water after use. Make sure they wear shoes to prevent burns if they step on a used sparkler. 

• Have first aid ready. For a minor burn, place a towel soaked in cool water over the area for about five minutes. Then cover with a clean bandage and give acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling. 

• Know when to seek emergency care. For a major burn, or if the burn involves eyes, go immediately to the emergency department. 

Celebrating with babies and toddlers? Little ones should be kept well away from all fireworks and sparklers, and never allowed to handle them. Loud fireworks displays can also be startling for infants, so consider ear protection and plenty of distance.

If a serious burn or injury does happen this Fourth of July, our pediatric specialists are here to help. Learn more about our pediatric burn care team, and remember that our pediatric emergency care team is available around the clock—including our Metairie emergency room—if your child needs urgent attention.

For more firework safety tips, data, and resources, visit cpsc.gov/fireworks. You can also find a wealth of injury prevention guidance including water safety, burn prevention, and poison prevention through Safe Kids Louisiana.

Make sure that you and your family are taking the proper precautions this Fourth of July, especially involving fireworks. Remember to be responsible, pay attention, and be ready for potential burns, so this America250 celebration is one to remember for all the right reasons.