Was legalizing fireworks in Georgia a good idea?

They draw oohs and aahs and excited gasps as they explode in bright colors in the sky. We delight in the cannon- like sounds as they rocket skyward. Fireworks around this time of year are more American than apple pie, however, getting a pie in the face won’t cause loss of life or limb or eyesight.

Fireworks, by definition are a class of explosives and the month around Independence Day, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission can be deadly. On average, 230 people a day visit emergency rooms with fireworks-related injuries. Certainly the professional displays are wonderful, but they are performed by professionals. But the fireworks flying off the shelves in Georgia, made legal by the 2015 General Assembly, are not being sold to professionals and that’s keeping public safety personnel up at night. 2013, according to the Georgia Injury Lawyers Blawg 2013, was a “record year for fireworks-related injuries in Georgia with eight deaths and 11,400 injuries. There were 8,700 injuries in 2012.

Granted there are some, including members of the Georgia General Assembly, who think legalizing fireworks will actually cut down on the deaths and injuries. It will certainly turn into a cash crop for the state as Georgia residents won’t have to cross state lines to get their pyrotechnics. Here are just a few tips provided by the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department to help make your Fourth of July a safe one.

Stay away from structures and dry areas.

Wear eye protection.

Do not let children play with fireworks, even sparklers, unsupervised.

Light fireworks one at a time.

After lighting, move away quickly.

Don’t hold or throw fireworks.

If it’s a dud, wait 15 minutes before trying to retrieve it.

In the words of Hill Street Blues’ Sgt. Phil Esterhaus, “Lets be careful out there.” And, while firing up the grill, take a moment to thank our Founders, who risked it all 239 years ago, to create this great nation defined by liberty and justice for all.

This story was originally published July 3, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Was legalizing fireworks in Georgia a good idea? ."