Fourth of July fireworks may be beautiful, but they can also be risky. Every year, experts remind those using fireworks to follow safety guidelines to keep themselves and others out of danger.
At Peters Ashwaubenon Uncle Sam's Fireworks, they provide a list of safety tips to every customer during this busy time of year.
For some more experienced shoppers, those safety tips are committed to memory.
"[The kids] cannot touch anything, just keeping a safe distance and definitely having access to water," said Michael Swietlicki of Wrightstown.
Even if you're just using sparklers, it's important to always have water nearby, according to experts.
"There are a lot of injuries that occur with sparklers," said Lt. Scott Schermitzler with Ashwaubenon Public Safety. "Eye injuries, burns, those sorts of things."
Only adults should handle fireworks.
"There's glow bracelets, light up wands, LED things, things that are safe for children to use while the adults are lighting the fireworks," said Daniel Peters, General Manager of Peters Ashwaubenon Uncle Sam's Fireworks.
In addition, it's illegal to shoot off fireworks without a permit.
"Basically anything that explodes is illegal," said Lt. Schermitzler.
More tips to follow: never re-light fireworks, and don't shoot them off while drinking or on medication.
"It's all about family and celebrating our independence and our freedom," Peters said. "Everybody wants to have fun, so just be respectful of the people around you."
If you don't have a permit, there are plenty of opportunities to see fireworks displays in Northeast Wisconsin this weekend. Appleton will have a display on Sunday, July 3rd, and Green Bay's Fire Over the Fox is July 4th.
