Each year, the eyes consistently rank among the body parts most injured by fireworks. As part of the continuous efforts to help prevent fireworks eye injuries, the Academy commissioned Harris Poll to conduct an online survey of 2,034 adults in the United States on fireworks.
SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS
Among the insights on fireworks usage, attitudes and behaviors, the survey found:
Using fireworks (regional data)
- 77% plan to watch fireworks
- 20% plan to do their own fireworks on Fourth of July nationwide. By region:
- South (27%)
- Midwest (20%)
- West (21 %)
- Northeast (11%)
Injuries not uncommon
- 33% overall know someone injured by fireworks or have been injured by fireworks
- 8% report being injured by fireworks
- 27% know someone else injured by fireworks
Sparklers and fireworks acceptable for children?
- 54% of adults say it’s OK for kids ages 5-10 to play with sparklers/fireworks, significantly more than the amount who say it’s ok for kids this age to:
- Ride a bike down the block without a helmet (19%)
- Light birthday candles (11%)
- Swim with friends without a lifeguard present (7%)
- Ride in a car a short distance without a seatbelt (5%)
- Cook with a stove without adult supervision (4%)
- 39% of parents say that children age 5 to 7 should be allowed to handle sparklers
- 27% of parents say that children age 11 to 15 should be allowed to handle fireworks
Eye protection for fireworks low
Few people wear eye protection when using fireworks, especially in comparison to other activities:
- 10% wear eye protection when using fireworks
- 13% wear eye protection when playing sports
- 21% wear eye protection when swimming
- 26% wear eye protection when doing home repair projects (such as plumbing)
- 28% wear eye protection when cleaning with chemicals
- 47% wear eye protection when using powertools (i.e., drill or table saw)