Most fireworks mishaps occur around the Fourth of July

It's hard to imagine an Independence Day celebration without fireworks, whether it's a big booming professional display or just a few sparklers in the backyard.

Unfortunately, more and more Americans are being injured or killed in fireworks-related incidents each year, especially kids. And there is no more dangerous time when it comes to fireworks than the days surrounding the Fourth of July holiday.

The Consumer Products Safety Commission has just released some new figures on fireworks-related deaths and injuries and the news is not encouraging.

For starters, there has been a steady upward trend in fireworks-related injuries over the past 10 years. More than 9,800 Americans were injured by fireworks last year, according to the agency, a substantial jump from 2006 when there were about 9,200 such injuries.

The agency says there were 11 fireworks-related deaths last year, the same number recorded in 2006. Five people were killed in incidents involving aerial and display fireworks. Three people died in fires where fireworks were the ignition source. Three people were killed as a result of manufacturing or storing illegal fireworks. 

Injuries to children were a major component of total fireworks-related incidents last year, with children under 15 accounting for 42 percent of the estimated injuries. Children and young adults under 20 had 54 percent of the estimated injuries. Of the injuries sustained last year, 70 percent were to males and 30 percent were to females. 

Following some simple, commonsense guidelines can go a long way in helping prevent fireworks-related injuries.

Make sure you know what devices are legal to use in your area. Several states, including New York and New Jersey, ban all consumer fireworks, including sparklers. Check the CPSC full list of state laws.

And, of course, legal doesn't mean safe. According to the CSPC, illegal products cause only about 2 percent of firecracker injuries.

While the CPSC says the federal government remains committed to stopping the manufacture and sale of illegal fireworks, the agency encourages consumers who use fireworks to safely use legal consumer fireworks. To reduce injuries, CPSC recommends following these fireworks safety tips:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
• Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often don't realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees—hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after lighting.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light one item at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

We've written about fireworks safety before but like to issue a reminder each year: Have a happy—and safe—Independence Day.