Low Risk
Also known as:
bottle rockets firecrackers ground spinners M-80 parachutes poppers roman candles smoke bombs snakes snaps sparklers
The main concern with fireworks is the heat created and the risk for a burn or injury to the skin or eyes rather than the ingredients.
Fireworks are available in many different forms and are used to entertain crowds with their noise, smoke, colors, and light. Fireworks typically come in thick paper or cardboard tubes, with flammable powder inside the tubes. Most fireworks sold to the general public are smaller versions of those seen at professional displays. However, these fireworks contain limited amounts of explosive material to reduce potential danger to people and animals.
Children typically bite into a firework getting only a taste amount of the contents into the mouth. Most often, very little of the firework is ingested due to the unpleasant taste. A common call to the poison center involves children eating “snake fireworks”, both from the package or the ashes left after it is used. Most of these ingestions do not cause any harm beyond minor stomach upset. Calls about the many other types of fireworks involve children biting through the paper tube, causing the powder inside to get inside their mouths.
In most cases there is only a small amount ingested, so no serious symptoms are expected. A bite into the popular sparkler usually doesn’t cause symptoms other than possible slight oral irritation. The main concern with fireworks is the heat created and the risk of a burn or injury to the skin or eyes. Sometimes the mouth can be burned if the hot, metal stick is accidentally tasted after use (most often with a sparkler).
If you find your child chewing on a firework, do not panic. Take it away from them, wipe out the mouth with a soft, wet cloth, and give them some water to drink. If problems start or you have questions, call the Missouri Poison Center right away at 1-800-222-1222. The poison center is open all day, every day for poisoning emergencies and questions.
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