It’s time for the annual fireworks safety reminders. A few tips you may not have considered yet...

Will you be setting off your own fireworks this weekend? 

Do-it-yourselfers have been hurting themselves since 1776 – and modern fireworks can do some serious damage. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, nearly 10,000 people were injured by either professional-grade or homemade firework devises last year. Here are some safety precautions you NEED to take:

• Avoid buying fireworks packaged in brown paper. That indicates they were made for professional displays and could be really dangerous for non-professionals.

• Sparklers are not harmless. They burn at the same temperature as a blowtorch, 2,000 degrees. Several of the injuries were reported to the eyes, face and ears – and resulted from sparklers or small firecrackers.

• Do NOT try to relight or pick up what you think is a dud. 

• Leave spent fireworks where they are and douse them with water before discarding.