Physicians and other emergency department staff at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital are encouraging families to have a happy and safe Fourth of July by taking care to avoid injuries associated with fireworks.

While thousands of children are injured each year due to fireworks, nearly 75 percent of these injuries occur during the month surrounding the Fourth of July. Most fireworks are illegal in Illinois, but even sparklers, which are legal, can be dangerous and cause injuries requiring emergency room treatment.

Here are some tips for dealing with fireworks:

• Only adults should handle fireworks. Even sparklers, which can quickly ignite hair and clothing, aren’t safe for small children.

• Keep a bucket of water handy when lighting novelty fireworks.

• Discuss safety procedures with your children. Teach them to “stop, drop and roll” if their clothes catch fire and show them how to put out fireworks by using water or a fire extinguisher.

• Never use fireworks indoors.

• Never aim or throw fireworks at another person.

• Never try to re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks. Avoid firecrackers that appear to have been wet.

• Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from homes, dry leaves and flammable materials. Never shoot them in metal or glass containers.