The combination of hand sanitizer and fireworks is a “recipe for disaster”

July 7, 2020

handsanitizer

Don't use hand sanitizer if you're handling fireworks this Fourth of July, experts warn. That's because hand sanitizers typically contain 60% to 70% alcohol, which is highly flammable. And fireworks — well, the word "fire" is in the name.

"Alcohol and fire do not mix," National Safety Council (NSC) spokesperson Maureen Vogel told CNN. "You shouldn't pair flammable items; it's the proverbial recipe for disaster."

Related: The weirdest fireworks injuries ever

Even sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit (1,093 degrees Celsius), according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), making them an easy ignition source. Fireworks should be kept away from all flammable materials, according to the NSC.

Handling fireworks shortly after applying hand sanitizer, while the alcohol's residue is still on your hands, could increase the risk of a burn injury, Dr. Dhaval Bhavsar, medical director of the University of Kansas Medical System's Burnett Burn Center, told local news outlet KSHB.

Because of this risk, both Vogel and Bhavsar recommended washing hands with soap and water if handling consumer fireworks.

You should also be aware of the overall risks of consumer fireworks, which are illegal in some cities. The NSC advises consumers not to use fireworks at home. Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, according to the NSC.

What's more, fireworks send thousands to the emergency room every year. In 2019, for instance, there were an estimated 10,000 firework-related injuries treated in ERs and 12 firework-related deaths in the U.S, with nearly three-quarters of injuries happening around the Fourth of July, according to the CPSC.

For those who do decide to use fireworks, the CPSC has a number of safety tips, including never allowing young children to play with fireworks (including sparklers), never placing any part of your body directly over fireworks when lighting a fuse, never pointing or throwing fireworks at anyone, and never trying to relight or handle fireworks that do not ignite (these should be soaked in water and thrown away).