Prevent Blindness has declared June 28-July 4, 2024, as the Fourth Annual Fireworks Safety Awareness Week. To help educate the public on the dangers of fireworks, the organization is offering a dedicated webpage, free downloadable fact sheets and shareable social media graphics. For families, Prevent Blindness is offering creative fireworks alternatives for safe celebrations.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) “2023 Fireworks Annual Report,” fireworks devices were involved in an estimated 6,400 injuries treated in US hospital emergency departments around the Independence Day holiday, from June 16-July 16, 2023. The CPSC also reported that there were eight non-occupational, fireworks-related deaths during 2023. 

In addition, the AAO warns that a recent study showed that 65% of people injured by fireworks are bystanders, and those attending professional displays should be cautious to avoid serious firework injuries.