ORLANDO, Fla. – As fireworks stands begin popping up across Central Florida, doctors at Orlando Health are issuing a stark warning: even legal fireworks can leave people with life-altering injuries.

Surgeons at Orlando Health say they saw a nearly 600% increase in fireworks-related surgeries last year during the Independence Day weekend. In 2023, four people required surgery for fireworks blast injuries. Last year, that number jumped to 27.

Dr. Brett Lewellyn, a hand surgeon at the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, says many of those injuries were preventable — and in the most severe cases, patients lost fingers or entire hands.

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Even smaller, legal fireworks like sparklers and fountains can pose serious risks, especially when children are involved. Many of the injuries happen when people hold fireworks while lighting them, attempt to relight duds or fail to move away in time.

Lewellyn recommends the following safety tips:

• Never allow children to light fireworks.

• Always wear eye protection.

• Keep a bucket of water and a hose nearby to douse duds before handling them.

“Make sure it’s fully extinguished before you try to pick it up,” Lewellyn added.

As Central Florida’s only Level 1 trauma center, Orlando Health is bracing for what could be another busy July 4th holiday. Doctors say the best way to avoid the ER is to leave the fireworks to the professionals and enjoy public displays from a safe distance.

[Seminole County Fire Department shares more tips to prevent fireworks mishaps – watch below]