For anyone who bought their own fireworks and want to shoot them off, here's the safest way to do it. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has some advice:
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees — hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a firework device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them in metal/glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area. Check your state laws and with your local ordinances before buying or using them.
ATF spokesman Michael Knight said modifying fireworks can be dangerous and result in serious injury.
