UNDATED -- The 4th of July holiday is synonymous with fireworks and officials with the Minnesota Safety Council are hoping you consider attending a public fireworks display rather than lighting your own.

Erin Peterson is the Safety Council Family Safety Program Coordinator. She says if you do plan to have your own fireworks display, use common sense.

Peterson says children need to be the appropriate age and they need to be educated about the dangers.

A common cause of injuries is trying to relight a "dud" firework.  Peterson says every year people suffer injuries to their hands face and eyes by trying to light a firework which never exploded.  She says leave those "duds" alone or kick them away.

It's also a good idea to have a bucket of water nearby and make sure you are lighting the fireworks in an open area away from combustible or flammable materials.

For younger kids, Peterson says glow sticks are a good idea.  Sparklers seem harmless, but she says they burn at 1,200-degrees which can lead to severe burns.

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