The Fourth of July is a celebration that Americans all over the United States enjoy.

However, it can also be very dangerous.

Thousands of fireworks victims keep hospitals busy every year on the Fourth of July. More than half of those injured are children. Fireworks not only injure users, but 40 percent of fireworks mishaps also injure bystanders.

To help you celebrate this Fourth of July safely, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following safety tips for fireworks that you shoot off, public shows and information on safe fireworks to purchase.

At Home Fireworks Safety Tips:

• Have an adult present.
  
• Always read and follow label directions.
  
• Buy from reliable sellers.
  
• Use fireworks only outdoors.
  
• Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
  
• Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
  
• Light only one firework at a time.
  
• Never re-light a dud firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
  
• Never give fireworks to small children.
  
• If necessary, store fireworks in a cool and dry place.
  
• Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then dispose them in your trashcan.
  
• Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
  
• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
  
• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
  
• The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
  
• Stay away from illegal explosives.
  

Safety Tips for Public Fireworks Displays

• Obey all ushers or monitors and respect the safety barriers set up Resist any temptation to get close to the actual firing site.
  
• If a firework component falls to the ground without exploding, do not to touch the firework and immediately contact the local fire or police department.
  
• Leave pets at home if you are going to a fireworks show because of their sensitive ears.
  
• Leave the lighting of all fireworks to the trained operator.
  
• Leave your own fireworks at home.
  

Tips on Choosing Safe Fireworks

• Never give fireworks to young children. Adult supervision of all fireworks activities is mandatory. Even sparklers can be unsafe if used improperly.
  
• Select and use only legal devices. If you choose to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, check with your local police department to determine what fireworks can be legally discharged in your area.
  
• Stay away from illegal explosives. Illegal explosive devices continue to cause serious injuries around the Fourth of July holiday. These devices are commonly known as M-80s, M-100s, blockbusters or quarter-pounders.
  
• Homemade fireworks are deadly. Never attempt to make your own devices and do not purchase or use any kits that are advertised for making fireworks.
  

For more information on firework safety go to the firework safety Web site at fireworksafety.com

Treating Burns

If a family member gets burned by fireworks, be prepared to come to their aid while waiting for medical help.

Dr. Steven Gevas, chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Parkway Regional Medical Center in North Miami Beach, Fla., offers these fireworks burn treatment tips:

Treating minor burns:

• Promptly seek medical help to ensure proper treatment and to minimize permanent skin damage. Burns associated with fireworks are usually first- or second-degree burns, which are partial thickness burns affecting mostly the upper layers of skin.
• Keep all wounded areas clean.
• Keep wounds covered with cool compresses during the initial burn phases of 12 to 36 hours. After this time, temperature is irrelevant.
• Elevate wounded areas to reduce swelling and to stimulate the healing process.
• Never burst blisters, which may cause infection because they act as natural dressings that help heal wounds. Rather, allow blisters to open naturally, and then apply antibiotic creams.
• Avoid sun exposure, which enhances scarring, while burns are healing or blisters are present. After the wounds have healed, always wear maximum sun-block protection over scars during sun exposure to minimize skin damage.
• Once blisters disappear, use over-the-counter creams high in aloe, which are very soothing. The creams can also be used for first-degree burns such as sunburns.

Treating major burns:

• Major burns require a specialist's care, because often they result in acute burns that penetrate various skin layers, damaging tendons and muscles.
• Only during the first 12 to 36 hours, cool wounds by putting them under running water and/or immersing them in ice water. Keep wounds cool while waiting for medical attention.
• If burns cover large portions of the body, don't cool the entire body because the core body temperature will drop too low. Use cool compresses only on wounds.
• Prior to reaching medical help, wrap wounds in clean towels or sheets and keep them elevated. Keep extremities elevated to keep blood from pooling and reduce swelling. The more swollen the wounds are the more painful they can be. Swelling also delays healing.
• Apply antibiotic creams at least twice a day if they are prescribed by doctors.
• Always use clean, sterile dressings and clean bandages.
• Take aspirin or other anti-immflammatories, such as ibuprofen.
• Keep wounds covered to minimize pain.
• Avoid exposing wounds to the sun. To minimize scarring on healed wounds, always wear maximum sun-block protection during sun exposure.