Fireworks may be fun, but their health risks are not
Fireworks may be a staple of celebrations, but their health risks are prompting experts to call for stricter regulations and greater public awareness.
New Year's Eve, national celebrations and election triumphs bring fireworks displays across Europe, illuminating the night sky. However, amid the celebration, experts from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) warn that fireworks carry an underestimated threat to public health. These devices can cause severe injuries, including burns, blast injuries, traumatic brain injuries, finger amputations, and even permanent blindness.
The UCLA experts argue that fireworks disproportionately affect children, young males, rural communities, those with lower socioeconomic status and innocent bystanders.
To mitigate harm, the UCLA team is advocating for stricter regulations and ongoing public education. They suggest that healthcare professionals should promote attendance at professional public displays instead of home fireworks. Additionally, they recommend school-based campaigns using real-life stories to illustrate the consequences of mishandling fireworks.
The authors also propose incorporating graphic warning labels on fireworks packaging, similar to those seen on cigarette packages, to better convey the risks involved.
In Europe, thousands of people require medical attention annually due to firework-related injuries. The Netherlands specifically tracks these incidents, noting a 7% increase in injuries during the 2025-2026 New Year's celebrations compared to the previous year. Italy reported 283 injuries during New Year's Eve celebrations, with 54 requiring hospitalization. However, many countries lack nationwide data collection, making it challenging to accurately gauge the extent of firework-related injuries.
Despite the risks, fireworks remain a booming industry in Europe, with the EU importing 120,000 tonnes of fireworks worth €406.7 million in 2024, marking a 9.5% increase in volume and a 21.5% rise in value from the previous year. The European Commission’s data shows a record €452 million in EU pyrotechnic imports in 2024, with fireworks accounting for the majority.
Among EU members, the Netherlands and Germany are the largest importers, receiving 37.0% and 35.6% of extra-EU fireworks imports respectively, followed by Poland at 7.4%. While the EU has a directive regulating consumer fireworks, allowing member states to impose further restrictions, some nations like the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Italy have enacted more stringent national rules.
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