The Hand Sanitizer and Fireworks Danger You Should Know About

In the days of the pandemic, the world is (hopefully) washing their hands a lot more and using way more hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol is one of the three essential items the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends having on hand when venturing out. But come this July 4th weekend, that could be a little problematic.

“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.”

Seems like a no brainer, but since using hand sanitizer has become second-nature for a lot of people, it’s easy to forget that you hve some on your hands before lighting some fireworks.

Researchers in a recent study found that using hand sanitizer for at least 30 seconds can effectively deactivate the novel coronavirus.

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Even if you don’t technically “believe” in the 4th of July and what it stands for, many Americans still will light up a bunch of fireworks at home like little sparklers or the quick, loud fireworks that just make noise. But those come with a warning too.

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 National Safety Council.

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.

To put it simply, use soap and water to wash your hands before handling fireworks, instead of hand sanitizer.

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Experts advise consumers not to use fireworks at home. Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires each year, according to the National Safety Council.

And not only that, fireworks send thousands to the emergency room every year. In 2019, for instance, there were an estimated 10,000 firework-related