Leave fireworks to pros

Sunday our nation will celebrate its 234th birthday. Many of us will gather with family and friends to watch a parade, enjoy a picnic, and possibly attend a fireworks display.

Fireworks displays are practically synonymous with the Fourth of July. On the day when the Second Continental Congress approved the resolution for independence, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail his prediction of how the day would be celebrated.

"I believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other," he wrote.

But we believe he was referring to public fireworks displays, conducted by trained professionals. At least we, and fire safety officials today, would like to think he meant that.

While the rest of us are enjoying our picnics and swimming pools, firefighters will be on call. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more fires occur on July 4 than any other day of the year, and fireworks account for more than half those fires.

In 2008, the last year for which complete statistics are available, fireworks caused an estimated 22,500 reported fires, include 1,400 structure fires and 500 vehicle fires. These fires resulted in one civilian death, 40 civilian injuries, and $42 million in direct property damage.

Fires are not the only reason to leave the fireworks to the professionals. On July 4, 2008, emergency hospital rooms around the country treated an estimated 7,000 for fireworks-related injuries.

Of those emergency room visits, 84 percent involved fireworks that federal regulations permit consumers to use. And these emergency room visits don't include the six people who die every year as a direct result of fireworks.

Clearly fireworks are best left to licensed professionals, who operate under strict federal and state regulations for their safety and the safety of the spectators.