Much of the excitement of Independence Day is the rockets’ red glare, especially for kids. But those bombs bursting in air can and do injure people, especially kids. In 2008 alone, there were 7,000 fireworks injuries reported. Nearly half of those casualties were children. No wonder they’re illegal in a lot of states. It’s best to leave the pyrotechnics to professionals, but if you choose to light your own fireworks, there are a few guidelines that you should follow. To avoid injuries, never allow children to hold or light fireworks, not even those seemingly harmless sparklers, which can reach temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees! A stray spark can light clothing and hair on fire, so it’s best not to allow kids to hold or light them. Sparklers were responsible for 10 percent of fireworks injuries overall, and half of those younger than 5 were injured by sparklers.

Adults – who haven’t been drinking alcohol – are the only ones who should shoot off fireworks. If you choose to use fireworks at home, then be sure you shoot them off on an outdoor, level surface like concrete, away from homes, trees and other structures. Keep a bucket of water nearby to douse flames if needed. Never try to relight duds. Fireworks are illegal in many states, so check local regulations before buying them. Take pets into consideration when using fireworks – many get skittish when they hear loud noises, and pets can run away or be injured by getting too close to fireworks. The safest and most exciting way to view fireworks is to attend a professional pyrotechnics show.