It can be hard to imagine celebrating the 4th of July without fireworks. But statistics around firework injuries are sobering: in 2024, there were 14,700 ER visits related to firework injuries, of which 37% were burns, and there were 11 deaths.1 There are also air quality consequences to setting off fireworks, with the release of gases (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide) and particulate matter, including metals (aluminum, manganese, and cadmium). This can be particularly dangerous for people with asthma or COPD, as the smoke can cause flareups. Personal fireworks can be more dangerous because the smoke is closer to the ground. There is also the risk of starting a fire, which increases during drought conditions.

Fireworks also cause distress to our furry and feathered friends. Dogs and cats can become anxious and disoriented. Wild animals, including squirrels and birds, can get so panicked that they injure themselves.

Finding alternatives to fireworks with the family need not be challenging. One activity for the whole family, along with other neighborhood kids, is a bike decorating and a bike parade. Bikes can be decorated with streamers, painted tin cans, balloons – you name it! Families could host a patriotic costume contest, have a picnic or BBQ, or have an outdoor movie night. There are many arts and crafts activities - making patriotic slime, flag finger painting, paper plate flag making, and making stars from decorated popsicle sticks, to name a few.

Glow sticks are a great alternative once the sun goes down and can be used instead of sparklers, which can reach temperatures of 1000 degrees F. A glow-in-the-dark kid’s table can include all different types of glow sticks, as well as glow-in-the-dark sidewalk chalk, water balloons (adding a glowstick to the balloons), and a glow-in-the-dark ring toss.

This 4th of July, protect your health and the health of the environment by choosing to forego fireworks!

1https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks