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During New Year’s Eve people often celebrate with fireworks, but if used improperly fireworks can cause serious injury or burns. To ensure a safe holiday, the Alabama Department of Public Health recommends that parents protect children from injury by preventing them from using fireworks and leaving them to the professionals.

In 2022, 11 people died and over 10,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 73% of all fireworks-related incidents reported in 2022 occurred in the weeks before and after the July 4th holiday.

The safest way to enjoy a fireworks display is at a community-sanctioned, licensed event. Alabama law allows only consumer fireworks, formerly known as class C fireworks. Some municipalities (including Montgomery) outlaw fireworks altogether. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission prevents large numbers of hazardous fireworks from reaching consumers. Illegal mail-order kits contain chemical mixtures that can explode unexpectedly and violently. M-80s, cherry bombs, and quarter sticks are so highly explosive that they have been banned by federal law since 1966. Working with the U.S. Customs Service since 1988, CPSC has seized or detained more than 400 million hazardous fireworks at docks across the country.

If fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.

• Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.

• Discuss safety procedures with children, including teaching them to “stop, drop, and roll.”

• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

• Never aim or throw fireworks at another person.

• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.

• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

• Never try to relight or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.

• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.

• If you have unused or misfired “duds” you need to dispose of after the festivities, follow these tips to do so safely:

• Submerge fireworks in water and let soak overnight.

• Wrap the soaked fireworks in plastic wrap or plastic bags to keep them from drying out.

• Place bagged fireworks in household trash or take them to your local landfill.

• You can also contact your local fire department or landfill to see what other fireworks disposal options may be available.