Be smart with fireworks around the Fourth of July

Independence Day is Saturday, and with it comes the pomp and circumstance of fireworks displays.

Municipalities will put on their own fireworks displays. Of course, there will also be smaller shows throughout our neighborhoods, but those shows will be unlawful.

Fireworks are illegal in Illinois, except for sparklers, snakes and other novelty items. Illinois is one of five states that allows only sparklers or novelty items.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says that there were reports of seven fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 7,000 injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2008. The one-month period surrounding the Fourth of July is the most dangerous time of year when it comes to fireworks. Seventy percent of all fireworks-related injuries occurred between June 20-July 20 last year, according to the CPSC.

Although those numbers are down from the previous year – 11 deaths and 9,800 injuries in 2007 – fireworks still remain very dangerous, especially when handled or shot off recklessly.

We don’t condone breaking the law, but we realize crossing state lines and loading up on fireworks is a popular activity.

For those of you who will be involved with fireworks this weekend, please keep these safety tips in mind: Don’t allow children to play with or ignite fireworks; don’t have any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when igniting it; don’t pick up and try to reignite any device that didn’t fully function; don’t throw or point fireworks at other people; light one fireworks device at a time; keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby.

Of course, the safest and only lawful option is to avoid fireworks altogether, unless you are enjoying one of the legal municipal shows throughout the region this weekend.