As Hoosiers watch streaming colors light up Friday's Fourth of July sky, the state will be keeping a close eye on any injuries caused by this American pastime.
In the past, Indiana was not required to report at a state level how many people are injured by firework explosives.
"The emergency rooms are overworked during this season," director of Indiana Fireworks Users Association Richards Shields said. "If they haven't done well (reporting firework accidents) on the federal level, it will be interesting to see what will be revealed on the state level."
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2002 about 8,800 people were treated with firework injuries in hospital emergency rooms.
The CPSU statistics are based on the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Data is collected by 100 randomly selected emergency rooms across the country and then categorized into a particular group of injuries. Based off the information reported, the number is computed to give a national statistic.
Shields said there is a probability that this number is inaccurate because the injuries are not always distinguished from which ones are caused by fireworks.
"We're kind of confused as far as statistics in Indiana," state fire Marshall Tracy Boatwright said. "Now it will be clear how many people are being injured."
Shields said someone could easily fall or twist an ankle at a Fourth of July event and have it labeled as fireworks related.
Certain fireworks should be taken to a safe location to be set off, Tim Smith, owner of Boomtown Fireworks in Muncie, said. Boomtown is one of 86 firework stores in Central Indiana.
Smith said once a customer leaves his store, he has no control over what people do with the fireworks.
"People need to be careful," he said. "Most injuries with fireworks are alcohol related."
Delaware County residents can take their fireworks to a safe site to be set off by Delaware County firefighters, Shields said. The site is located across from Yorktown Middle School on Tiger Drive from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 3 and July 4, according to the Indiana Fireworks Users Association's Web site.
"Ideally, I would like to see all (firework) products used, possessed or bought to be outlawed," Boatwright said.
Although these colored explosions may be ruled as dangerous, people who love the rush that a firework fuels have no problem opening their wallets. Smith said the average purchase is about $50 but some have spent as much as $1,000.
"Before the fourth it's a lot of small purchases," Smith said. "A lot of people pool their money together and spend about $500 and $600."
Smith said artillery shells are the top-selling items in his store.
"It's the most powerful and the closest thing you can get to a public display," Smith said. "It's probably 20 percent of one of the big ones."
Alexander resident Shelly Jarvis said she spends between $200 and $300 for her family's celebration every Fourth of July.
"It's a tradition," Jarvis, holding fountains and sparklers in her hands, said.
Henry Gudger, sergeant with the Muncie Police, said the firework season lasts from about one month prior and one month after the Fourth of July. He said that people need to take precautions when setting off fireworks as well as follow the rules.
"Usually the ones involved with firework incidents are younger kids and adults who have indulged in too much alcohol," Gudger said.
Alcohol is the primary reason for accidents involving fireworks, Gudger said.
Gudger said it is difficult to monitor everyone who sets off fireworks and hoped that everyone would use them wisely.
"It's really not a priority compared to the other calls we get," Gudger said. "There's really not a lot you can do about it; you would need a much larger force."
Consumer Product Safety Commission, the National Council on Fireworks Safety and the Indiana Fireworks Users Association offer the following safety tips:
Always read and follow label directions.
Have an adult present.
Buy from reliable sellers.
Use outdoors only.
Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket).
Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
Light only one firework at a time.
Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).
Never give fireworks to small children.
If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trash can.
Never throw or point fireworks at other people.
Never carry fireworks in your pocket.
Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework.
Stay away from illegal explosives.
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