Prevent Blindness Ohio Launches Fireworks Safety Week Ahead of Fourth of July Celebrations

Columbus, OH  – Prevent Blindness Ohio has declared June 28-July 4, 2026, as its 6th Annual Fireworks Safety Week, to help educate the public on the dangers of fireworks. As Americans are planning for the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in some cases, with celebrations involving fireworks, Prevent Blindness Ohio offers a dedicated webpage on the risk of fireworks-related injuries, PreventBlindness.org/fireworks, a new educational flyer “Fireworks and Your Eyes: Celebrate Safely,” and free fact sheets. As part of its new “Best Eyes for Life” campaign, Prevent Blindness Ohio will be sharing graphics of the program’s stars, Iris and Cornelius, demonstrating fireworks alternatives for safe celebrations across its social media platforms.

Also new this year, Thomas L. Steinemann, MD, Cornea and External Eye Disease, Cataract and Lens Implant Surgery, Metro Health Eye Clinic, and Professor of Ophthalmology at Case Western Reserve University, shares his insights into the impact that fireworks injuries can have on the eyes and vision, instructions on what do to in the event of a serious eye injury, and more, in the Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health Expert Series episode “Fireworks Safety with Dr. Steinemann.” Dr. Steinemann is also a member of the Prevent Blindness Ohio Executive Council at the Northeast Ohio Chapter, and a long-time Prevent Blindness Ohio volunteer.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2025, there were 15 reported fireworks-related deaths. An estimated 13,000 people were injured by fireworks, with 1,300 injuries involving sparklers alone. The 15-24 age group accounted for the largest share of reported injuries. The most frequently injured body parts were hands and fingers (35%) and head, face, and ears (22%). Burns were the most common injury, making up 38% of all emergency room visits.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that in the most severe eye injury cases, firework accidents can rupture the globe of the eye, cause chemical and thermal burns, corneal abrasions and retinal detachment — all of which can cause permanent eye damage and vision loss. Fireworks-related eye injuries can combine blunt force trauma, heat burns and chemical exposure.

In Ohio, state law does allow for discharge of 1.4G consumer fireworks on certain holidays, including the Fourth of July, as long as a local ordinance banning discharge is not in effect where you live. Many cities and townships across the state have passed local bans on the discharge of these fireworks because of the dangers they pose to their residents and the increased fire hazards.

Prevent Blindness Ohio supports the development and enforcement of bans on the importation, sale and use of all fireworks, except those used in authorized public displays by licensed operators, as the only effective means of eliminating the social and economic impact of fireworks-related trauma and damage.

“We are thrilled to celebrate our nation’s 250^th anniversary. We urge all Americans to celebrate safely by avoiding consumer fireworks,” said Amy Pulles, President & CEO of Prevent Blindness Ohio. “Accidents happen even during firework displays conducted by licensed professionals, so please use caution when attending those as well.”

For more information on the dangers of fireworks or for ideas on how to celebrate safely without fireworks, visit https://preventblindness.org/fireworks, or contact Prevent Blindness Prevent Blindness Ohio at 800-301-2020, or visit Prevent Blindness Ohio at pbohio.org.