MN officials: Let's be safe with July Fourth fireworks
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State public safety officials are reminding Minnesotans to be smart and be careful around fireworks this holiday weekend.
The Department of Public Safety says 60 to 70 people are injured every year during the state's Fourth of July celebrations. Many are fireworks burns. Fireworks can heat up to 1,200 degrees and the people lighting them are at greatest risk, said Fire Marshal Bruce West.
"If you ever are lighting something and it doesn't seem to go, just leave it be," West said. "Don't relight a dud because that is where some of our injuries do occur."
People should use a lighter with a long stem to light fireworks to prevent burns to the hand, he added. To prevent injury to children, there should always be an adult present.
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In Minnesota, the only fireworks legal to use are smoke devices or sparklers that remain on the ground. If a device leaves the ground and explodes in the sky, it is illegal in Minnesota, the fire marshal's office says.
Last year, there were 71 fireworks-related injuries with 15 of them to children younger than 9.