Fireworks and the Fourth of July go hand in hand. That’s been true since 1777 when the first Independence Day celebration took place in Philadelphia, Pa.

But some fireworks should only be in the hands of professionals.

The National Fire Protection Association, along with the 23 other health and safety organizations that make up the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks, strongly urges the public to avoid buying fireworks of any kind and instead enjoy the numerous firework displays that will take place this weekend conducted by trained professionals.

“The NFPA has been against consumer fireworks for more than 100 years because of the simple fact that they are so inherently dangerous to consumers,” said Lorraine Carli, spokesperson for the NFPA.

In 2009 an estimated 18,000 fires occurred across the United States as a result of fireworks. In the same year, emergency rooms nationwide treated an estimated 8,800 patients with firework related injuries with children younger than 15 accounting for nearly 40 percent of all firework related injuries according to the NFPA. A large portion of injuries sustained are caused by sparklers.

“Parents and children look at sparklers and think they can do no harm, but they burn at very high temperatures and can be very dangerous,” Huber Heights Fire Chief Mark Ashworth said.

Ashworth recommends keeping a bucket of sand or water nearby to dispose of sparklers to avoid burns.

Ohio allows the sale and use of sparklers, trick noisemakers and other novelty items within state lines. Other fireworks may be purchased in Ohio, but consumers must sign a form agreeing to take the items out of the state within 48 hours and to not discharge them within the state limits. Failure to abide by the agreement is considered a first-degree misdemeanor.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2201 or kcundiff@DaytonDailyNews.com.