Key Takeaways
- In 2024, about 14,700 people were treated in U.S. ERs for fireworks injuries, and more than a third of those wounds were to the hands and fingers. [1]
- Boise Fire crews answered 117 emergency calls over the 2023 Fourth of July holiday, up from 99 the year before. [2]
- Aerial fireworks like bottle rockets and Roman candles are illegal to set off anywhere in Idaho, including Boise, even though stores can sell them. [3]
- Gloves, distance, and a water bucket stop most hand burns. Never hold a lit firework, and call 911 if one hurts someone.
How Do Fireworks Cause Hand Injuries in Boise?
Fireworks look spectacular, but they send tens of thousands of people to the ER each summer, and hands take the worst of it. In 2024, about 14,700 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fireworks injuries, and 36% of those wounds were to the hands and fingers, the most of any body part. [1]
Boise sees the same pattern up close. Fire crews there answered 117 emergency calls over the 2023 Fourth of July holiday, up from 99 calls the year before. [2]
Rockets, firecrackers, sparklers, and Roman candles all carry risk when they are mishandled. Hand injuries from fireworks can be severe. They range from deep burns to broken fingers and, in the worst cases, loss of a finger or hand.
The good news? Almost all of these injuries are preventable. The nine steps below are the ones that actually keep hands intact.
How Can You Avoid Hand Injuries When Handling Fireworks?
The safest choice is to watch a public show and skip lighting your own. If you do handle fireworks, distance and preparation matter more than anything. Emergency rooms across the Treasure Valley, including St. Luke’s in Boise, see a spike in burns every July. Here are nine habits that prevent them.
- Wear protective gloves.
- Keep a safe distance.
- Keep a water bucket within reach.
- Never hold a lit firework.
- Secure fireworks before lighting.
- Skip homemade fireworks.
- Store unused fireworks safely.
- Dispose of used fireworks properly.
- Follow Boise’s fireworks rules.
1. Wear Protective Gloves
Gloves put a layer between your skin and the heat. They also give you a firmer grip, so a firework is less likely to slip at the wrong moment.
Thick work gloves will not make a firework safe to hold, but they cut down on minor burns and blisters when you are setting one up. It is a small step that lowers your risk.
2. Keep a Safe Distance
Once a fuse is lit, back away fast. Standing too close means shrapnel, heat, and the blast can all reach you if the firework misfires or tips over.
Light one firework at a time, then move well back before it goes off. Resist the urge to lean over a firework to check a slow fuse.
3. Keep a Water Bucket Within Reach
A water bucket or a running garden hose lets you put out small fires fast. Quick access to water keeps a stray spark from spreading to dry grass or a fence.
Drop spent sparklers and used fireworks straight into the bucket. Soaking them makes sure they are cool and fully out before anyone touches them.
4. Never Hold a Lit Firework
Holding a lit firework is one of the fastest ways to lose a finger. It can go off early, and the blast can shatter bone or tear off part of a hand.
You can get the fun without the risk. Public displays, confetti poppers, glow sticks, and sparklers give you the color and none of the blast. If you light your own, set it down first.
5. Secure Fireworks Before Lighting
Set fireworks on a flat, hard surface like concrete or asphalt, away from buildings, dry grass, and trees. A stable base keeps them from tipping and firing sideways.
Use a launch tube or stand when the instructions call for one, and follow the maker’s directions every time. A firework that shoots in the wrong direction can hurt someone standing nearby.
6. Skip Homemade Fireworks
Homemade fireworks mix volatile chemicals with zero safety testing. One wrong measurement can cause a severe burn, a fire, or worse, a death.
Store-bought fireworks are regulated and tested. Homemade ones are not. It is not a risk worth taking.
7. Store Unused Fireworks Safely
Unused fireworks are still dangerous. A few simple storage rules keep them from becoming a hazard:
- Keep them in their original packaging.
- Store them somewhere cool and dry.
- Keep them away from heat, flames, and other flammable items.
- Do not tamper with or take apart a firework.
8. Dispose of Used Fireworks Properly
Soak used fireworks in water before you throw them out. A good soak deactivates any leftover explosive material so it cannot reignite in the trash.
Never try to relight a “dud” that failed to go off. Instead, wait about 20 minutes, then soak it in water and discard it.
9. Follow Boise’s Fireworks Rules
Idaho state law sets the rules that apply in Boise. Aerial fireworks such as bottle rockets, skyrockets, and Roman candles are illegal to set off anywhere in the state, including inside city limits. Firecrackers are banned too, even though they stay on the ground. You can buy these in Idaho, but you cannot legally use them in Boise. [3]
Idaho allows fireworks sales from June 23 through July 5, and again from December 26 through January 1. Permitted use dates vary, so check current Boise ordinances before you light anything. [3]
What Should You Do After a Fireworks Hand Injury?
Act fast and stay calm. Quick first aid and a trip to the ER give a hurt hand the best chance to heal. Here is the order to follow.
- Get medical help. Call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room right away.
- Treat the wound. Cool burns with a clean, damp cloth, press gently on any bleeding, and take extra care with eye injuries.
- Report it. Tell local authorities, especially if illegal or defective fireworks were involved.
- Write down the details. Note the type of firework, how it happened, and any witnesses. This helps with insurance or a legal claim.
- Follow up. Stick to your doctor’s care plan to avoid infection and lasting damage.
- Ask about your options. If someone else’s negligence or a defective firework caused the injury, a Boise personal injury lawyer can explain your rights.
Injured by Fireworks in Boise This Fourth of July?
If a defective firework or someone else’s carelessness on their property hurt you, you may have a claim for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
No fee unless we win. Talk to a Boise personal injury attorney today.
Fireworks Safety in Boise: Common Questions
Aerial fireworks like bottle rockets and Roman candles are illegal to set off anywhere in Idaho, including Boise, even though stores can sell them. Only ground-based fireworks such as fountains and sparklers are allowed. [3]
Idaho allows fireworks sales from June 23 through July 5, and again from December 26 through January 1. Permitted use dates vary by city, so check Boise ordinances before lighting anything. [3]
Call 911 or get to the nearest emergency room. Cool burns with a clean, damp cloth, apply gentle pressure to any bleeding, and avoid touching the wound while you wait for help.
Possibly. If a faulty firework or another person's negligence caused the injury, a Boise personal injury lawyer can review the facts and tell you whether you have a claim for medical bills and other losses.
Sources:
[1] U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2025, June 25). CPSC Urges Fireworks Safety Ahead of July 4th Holiday (2024 fireworks injury data: ~14,700 ER injuries, 36% to hands and fingers). cpsc.gov. Accessed July 2, 2026.
[2] Staff, K. (2023, July 6). Increase in number of responses from Boise firefighters during 2023 July 4 festivities. Idaho News 6 (KIVI). kivitv.com. Accessed July 2, 2026.
[3] Boise State Public Radio News. (2023, June 30). What are the laws and regulations for fireworks in Idaho? boisestatepublicradio.org. Accessed July 2, 2026.
