"Ooooh...Aaaahhh!"
Make sure your Fourth-of-July "ooohs" and "aaahs" are about the dazzling fireworks display. preferably one left to the professionals. Avoid the "aacks" and "ow's!" of fireworks-related injuries.

Fireworks, sparklers and many other Fourth of July power poppers can be dangerous, even deadly.

There are estimates that between 6,000 and 9,000 fireworks-related injuries occur every year. Eyes are the second most commonly injured part of the body. Fireworks can be erratic and unreliable. Experts suggest that you and your children go to a public display where fireworks are set off by professionals. It's safer than setting off fireworks at home.

Follow these tips at a public fireworks display:

• Respect the safety barriers.
• Watch fireworks from a quarter of a mile or more away for the best view.
• Don't touch any fireworks that land on the ground. They may not have exploded. Get away and alert the fire department.

If you choose to set off your own fireworks, first check to see if it is legal in your area.

Follow these safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety:

• Buy only legal fireworks from reliable sellers. Read and follow label directions. Never make your own fireworks.
• Only allow adults to set off fireworks. Never let children use fireworks, even sparklers.
• Be careful, even with sparklers. Sparklers can burn as hot as 1,800 degrees F, six times as hot as a pan of cooking oil. Sparklers are the third leading cause of eye injuries. Don't hold a child in your arms while using sparklers. Don't light more than one sparkler at a time. Don't hand a lit sparkler to another person. Only light it after you have handed it off. Don't throw or wave sparkers.
• Always have water handy.
• Light one firework at a time and never re-light a "dud."
• Never point fireworks at someone else.
• Wear eye protection.
• Dispose of fireworks properly. Soak them in water before throwing them in the trash can.
• Don't drink alcohol and set off fireworks.

External Sources National Council on Fireworks Safety. . Accessed October 29, 2008 Consumer Product Safety Commission. Fireworks fact sheet.. Accessed October 28, 2008 American Academy of Ophthalmology. American Academy of Ophthalmology urges safe celebrations this Fourth of July. . Accessed October 28, 2008