You may have noticed recently that the countryside sounds like a war has broken out. Every year, Independence Day celebrations across the country include the fiery, colorful displays and explosive pops of consumer-grade fireworks. Many times, individuals start celebrating a week either side of the Fourth of July.
Fireworks are synonymous with our celebration of Independence Day. Yet, the thrill of fireworks can also bring pain. 230 people on average go the emergency room every day with 
fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.
In 2015, 11 people died and about 11,500 were injured badly enough to require medical treatment after fireworks-related incidents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. And while the majority of these incidents were due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, thousands were from less powerful devices like small firecrackers and sparklers. More fires are reported on July 4 than any other day of the year.
On a typical Fourth of July, fireworks account for two out of five of all reported fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Each year, fireworks cause on average 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires resulting in thousands of injuries. The National Safety Council advises everyone to stay away from all consumer fireworks and to only enjoy fireworks at a public display conducted by professionals. Forty-seven of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia allow legal “consumer” fireworks for the Fourth of July. The definition of consumer fireworks varies from state to state, but can include everything from cone fountains to roman candles to multiple tube “cake” devices to sparklers. According to the organization, in addition to abstaining from alcohol use until after the fireworks display is over, parents and caretakers should always closely supervise teens if 
they are using fireworks.
Young children should never be permitted to handle fireworks. Every year, young children can be found along parade routes and at festivals with sparklers in hand, but they are a lot more dangerous than most people think. Parents don't realize they burn at about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and many children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet.
Proper handling of fireworks varies by type, but instructions and use should be clearly stated on the label. In addition, the organization always recommends having water ready both in a bucket and in a charged hose. Burns and eye injuries can occur if safety guidelines are not followed. 
Safety glasses should be worn by the designated shooter while those watching the display maintain a safe distance away to enjoy the show. Fireworks laws across the country can also vary both on a state and local level. Legal fireworks in one state may not be legal in another.
According to the organization, "dud" fireworks can also pose a hazard and should be submerged in water after waiting for 20 minutes. If a firework does not ignite correctly, consumers should not try to ignite it. Disposal of spent fireworks is also important to help mitigate the risk of fire hazards. Once all used fireworks have been soaked in water, their remains should be placed in a nonflammable trash can, outside and several feet away from a home, deck or other flammable structures. The best thing to do is to attend one of the local fireworks displays. Then just grab a blanket and a patch of lawn, kick back and let the experts handle the show. Feel free to leave comments and be sure to hit the “Like” button at the bottom of this post.
