Diwali sparklers: about 2,000 degrees, a bucket of water, young kids back

The short version

The U.S. Postal Service notes that on the main day of Diwali many families light fireworks, along with diyas. Most U.S. fireworks advice is written for the Fourth of July, but the hazards are the same in November. [S7]

NFPA’s own position is that fireworks should be handled by the professionals: it suggests joining a public fireworks display instead of using them at home. CPSC’s June 2026 release says the same thing: the safest way to celebrate is to leave fireworks to the professionals. [S2] [S4]

If you do light sparklers at home, this page turns CPSC’s tips into a station you set up before dark and a checklist. For the diyas themselves, see our Diwali diya guide.

Is it legal where you are?

CPSC says to make sure fireworks are legal in your area, and to buy and set off only fireworks labeled for consumer, not professional, use. It also says to follow the instructions on each firework. [S1] [S2]

Rules differ by state and often by city, and a date in November may not be covered the way July 4 is. Our suggestion: ask your city or county fire department, or your state fire marshal’s office, before you buy. We don’t list states here because the rules change.

Sparklers and kids

CPSC’s fireworks page says never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers, because sparklers burn at about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Its 2026 release says to keep children away from fireworks, sparklers included, and that sparklers can cause serious burns in seconds. [S1] [S2]

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, which writes Diwali guidance, says never give sparklers to children under five and always supervise children around fireworks. [S5]

Our suggestion: give young children glow sticks or battery lights to wave, and have them watch from a spot marked before dark. Our Halloween candle guide covers glow sticks and flameless lights for the same reason.

The bucket of water

CPSC says to keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy, and its 2026 release says to have one ready in case of fire or to safely soak used fireworks. Greater Manchester says to keep a bucket of water nearby at all times. [S1] [S2] [S5]

Our suggestion: fill it before the first match is struck, set it a step from the lighting spot, and drop each finished sparkler straight in. Our fire extinguisher guide covers the label and how to use one if a fire does start.

What do I do with this one?

Pick what’s in front of you. For a dud, enter the minutes since you lit it.

The tool only matches your choice to the CPSC, Greater Manchester and AVMA advice on this page. It can’t see the firework, and it saves nothing.

Lighting, duds and cleanup

• One at a time. CPSC says to light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly, and never to lean over a firework while lighting the fuse. [S1] [S2]
• Hands only if the label says so. CPSC says never hold fireworks in your hand unless the instructions say to, and never hold, wear or attach them to your body or clothing. For sparklers, follow what the label says about holding them. [S1] [S2]
• Aim nowhere near people. CPSC says never aim, throw or point fireworks at people, animals or buildings. [S2]
• Sober. CPSC says never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs. [S1] [S2]
• Never relight a dud. CPSC says never try to relight or pick up fireworks that haven’t ignited fully. Its 2026 release says to wait at least 20 minutes, then soak a dud thoroughly in water before disposing of it. [S1] [S2]
• Soak everything used. CPSC says to keep the bucket ready to safely soak used fireworks. Our suggestion: leave spent sparkler wires in the water until the night is over, then throw them away. [S2]
• Store them closed. Greater Manchester says to keep fireworks in a closed metal box and use them one at a time. [S5]

Pets

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says to keep pets inside if you or your neighbors are setting off fireworks, to consider a safe, escape-proof room or crate, and to keep sparklers, glow sticks and fireworks away from curious pets. [S6]

AVMA also says to check your yard for fireworks debris before letting pets outside. Its page is written for July 4; the advice is the same any night fireworks go off. [S6]

What the numbers say, and what they don’t

These figures are for the whole year and mostly reflect the Fourth of July. They aren’t Diwali figures, and no source here counts Diwali injuries separately.

CPSC says there were 15 reported fireworks deaths in 2025, an estimated 13,000 people injured, and an estimated 1,300 emergency room injuries involving sparklers. Hands and fingers made up 35% of the injuries and head, face and ears 22%, and burns made up 38% of emergency room visits. [S1]

NFPA says fireworks started an estimated 34,079 fires in 2024, and U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 14,700 people for fireworks injuries that year. [S3]

Before the first sparkler

Quick answers