Fourth of July, a day to celebrate our independence, a day of fun with family and friends, can often be marred by accidents involving fireworks.  I suppose, because of my role as a disability insurance broker, I watch with horror as many folks mishandle fireworks on this day.

According to a 2009 report issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on non-occupational fireworks-related deaths and injuries:

• Fireworks were involved in an estimated 7,000 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during calendar year 2008.  CPSC Staff estimated that there were 9,800 fireworks-related injuries during 2007.

• An estimated 5,000 fireworks-related injuries (or 70 percent of the total fireworks-related injuries) were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during the one-month special study between June 20, 2008 and July 20, 2008.  CPSC staff estimated that there were 6,300 fireworks-related injuries (66 percent of the annual total) during the 2007 special study period.

• Of the fireworks-related injuries sustained, 62 percent were males to and 38 percent were to females.

So, go out and eat all you want at the barbecue, have a few beers (but don’t drive afterward), play all the fun games in the park, but please, leave the fireworks to the professionals.