Setting off fireworks can be a blast,  but not following safety rules can lead to trouble.    

"Fireworks are a dangerous product and we see approximately 9,000 people visiting emergency rooms every year because of injuries from fireworks, unfortunately, we also see on average about 7 deaths a year," said Nancy Nord from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.     

It's not commercial fireworks displays that most concern the consumer product safety commission, but those set off in neighborhoods. The CPSC estimates about half of the people injured each year are children under 15.   

"We're talking about burns. We're talking about lacerations. We're talking about eye injuries," said Nord.     

Experts tell parents to:    
Only use legal fireworks 
Read and follow all warning labels 
Never let children play with or ignite fireworks
Make sure other people are out of range 
Light one at a time 
Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby in case of fire or malfunction.   
 
"Use them safely, use them properly, supervise your children at all times, understand that these are things packed full of explosives," said Nord.     

Using common sense can keep a celebration from turning into a tragedy.