Every year, important messages about fireworks are ignored by thousands of people, and often, the result is an unhappy ending. Burns and the scars they leave can last a lifetime. Children are most often those who are injured or killed.

Fireworks are fun to watch and represent our country’s independence. MySafe:LA believes that on  Independence Day in California, it’s best to leave the fireworks shows to the professionals. Here are a few reasons why:

Purchasing, selling, or detonating fireworks is illegal in many cities throughout California.

While fireworks are illegal in most cities, other surrounding cities and unincorporated county areas often allow the sale of so-called “Safe and Sane” fireworks. People can simply drive to a neighboring area, and purchase these explosive devices. They then bring them back into the city where fireworks are illegal, and stage their own pyrotechnics show. As we’ve reported, the results can be damaging, and even deadly. Many cities are making the transportation of fireworks illegal, resulting in possible jail time and fines in excess of $1,000.00.

There’s no such thing as “Safe and Sane” fireworks in the hands of amateurs. 

“Safe and Sane” is a marketing ploy. These explosive devices are neither safe nor sane. A hand-held “sparkler” burns between 1200 and 1800 degrees Farenheit, throwing off metallic sparks and embers. A pot of boiling water boils at 212 degrees Farenheit. You wouldn’t let a child put his or her hand in a pot of boiling water. Sparklers are even more dangerous.

So called “Safe and Sane” devices are often manufactured outside of the country, under less than stringent regulations. In the hands of amateurs who haven’t been trained in the proper handling of pyrotechnics, people will get hurt.

People get injured and even die EVERY YEAR using fireworks.

According to a US Consumer Products Safety Study, CPSC staff received reports of 9 nonoccupational fireworks-related deaths occurring in 10 incidents during 2014.

Four victims died in house fires caused by fireworks, including two where the persons killed were not the “starters.”

Seven victims died as a direct result of exposure to heat and/or blast impacts.

Finally, fireworks were involved in an estimated 10,500 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2014

Kids are often the victims of fireworks injuries.

Each year, from June 20 to July 20, an average of 230 people go to the emergency room for fireworks-related injuries EVERY DAY. Statistics from the CSPC show that nearly half of the these injuries happen to kids under the age of 16.

Don’t let your children or family members become a statistic!

There are so many choices for high quality fireworks shows not far from where you live.

If you have internet access, finding great fireworks shows in your region is easy. Staged by professionals, including timed music, these shows are fun and exciting. It’s a great way to bring people together to enjoy an American pastime. Most importantly, they are presented under stringent safety guidelines by people trained to handle explosives.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area, the Los Angeles Fire Department has created a listing of shows you can review here.