The Fourth of July is a time traditionally shared with family picnics and get-togethers.

Many of those celebrations will be accompanied by a few bangs, booms and splashes of color and sparks. And, while we hope everyone will have a good time, we ask, once again, that you leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Summer, especially the weeks that surround the Independence Day holiday, offers the promise of relaxing, care-free enjoyment, but this time of year can be dangerous.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there were an estimated 14,700 fireworks-related injuries treated in emergency rooms and at least 11 deaths across the United States in 2024, with 66 percent of those injuries coming in the 30 days surrounding July 4. Those numbers represent significant increases from 2023 — injuries were up by 52 percent and deaths climbed by 38 percent.

The majority of fireworks-related injuries were to the hands and fingers, legs, eyes, head, face and ears, and more than 37% of the injuries were burns.

Remember that even the simplest of fireworks can cause a great deal of damage to individuals and property. Bottle rockets, for example, have been known to cause house fires when they land on a roof and can ignite an entire neighborhood if they fall on dry vegetation.

Novelty items, such as sparklers, which are legal in most locations, can cause severe injuries — they burn at about 2,000 degrees, the safety commission says, and can cause clothing to ignite and severe, life-changing damage to skin.

Children are excited and curious about fireworks, which can lead to serious injuries — remember, an open flame is needed to ignite fireworks, and a book or box of matches or a lighter can bring a whole different set of dangers.

This year, enjoy the many fireworks displays that are scheduled to take place around the area and, if you do choose to set off your own presentation in your backyard, keep safety first.