How to Stay Safe with Fireworks: Keeping Independence Day Incident Free

Independence Day is cause for celebration, and across the United States families, friends and whole communities will be gathering for picnics, campouts and parties again this July 4. Most of the festivities will end with an evening fireworks display put on by professionals.

A lot of people also purchase their own fireworks, putting on mini-displays at their home or campsite. In most states it's legal, although in some states like Arizona, where drought is chronic and fire danger high, it is illegal for a consumer to even possess fireworks, much less let them off on New Years of July 4. "Obey local laws," warns the National Council for Fireworks Safety. "If fireworks are not legal where you are, don't use them. If drought conditions mean a ban on fireworks, follow the law."

While public service messages and news stories might scare some into totally avoiding fireworks during the holiday, fireworks-related injuries have dropped by 70 percent in the last decade. In 2004, 9,600 people were treated for injuries from fireworks.

One injury is one too many though, and those innocent-looking sparklers usually toted by youngsters are often overlooked. Believe it or not they can reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt gold.

More than half of sparkler-related injuries happen to children under the age of 14, according to the National Council on Fireworks Safety. "Sparklers are not toys," the organization emphasizes, adding the following safety tips should be followed with sparklers: always read and follow instructions; always have an adult present; keep burning sparklers away from clothing and flammable objects; only use sparklers outdoors, away from buildings and vehicles; light only one sparkler at a time; alcohol, fireworks and sparklers do not mix; do not point or throw sparklers at another person; children under the age of 12 should not handle sparklers; and when finished, place used sparklers in a bucket of water.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following recommendations for all fireworks: