With Fourth of July just around the corner you might be anxious to buy and light some fireworks. It’s definitely fun but you have to be careful to not become one of the statistics.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission staff estimates that there were 9,200 emergency room-treated injuries associated with all fireworks in 2006. Most of these injuries, 6,400, occurred during the one month period surrounding the July 4th holiday.

The CPSC recommends following these fireworks safety tips:

• Never allow young children to play with fireworks.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional shows and could pose a danger to consumers.
• Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don’t realize that sparklers have caused more injuries to children under age five than any other type of firework. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework device when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after lighting.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned. Douse and soak with water and throw them away.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light one item at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

Tags: fireworks, 4th of july, black cat, firework, july 4th