In North Carolina, it is illegal to sell or possess fireworks that explode or shoot into the air. This includes firecrackers, ground spinners, bottle rockets, Roman candles and aerial fireworks. Sparklers, snakes and glow worms are legal, but they’re not risk-free.

“Even legal fireworks can cause serious injuries and start fires when used improperly,” Taylor explained.

To keep your celebrations safe, the National Safety Council offers these essential tips:

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks, and closely supervise older children using sparklers.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of fire or mishaps.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Avoid lighting fireworks in your hand, and never try to relight malfunctioning items.
• Soak spent fireworks in water before discarding them to prevent accidental fires.
• Attend public fireworks shows conducted by licensed experts. They’re safer and more spectacular than most fireworks celebrations at home.

With these tips and respect to state law, families can enjoy a festive and injury-free holiday.

“By leaving the fireworks to the experts, we can all help reduce these numbers and ensure that our Fourth of July celebrations are memorable for the right reasons,” said Taylor. “Public displays are not only safer but also far more spectacular than anything you can do at home.”

For more fireworks safety tips, visit nsc.org.