BALDWYN, Miss. (WTVA) -- At a local fireworks stand in Baldwyn, customers looked over the products to help bring in the Fourth of July with a big bang.
"I shot fireworks when I was little. I enjoy watching them," Baldwyn resident Daytra Riley said. "I don't have any small children. But my nieces and nephews, they really enjoy them but it's very important, the safety part of it. Anything can happen. Just always remember to be safe."
Now, fireworks have come a long way since the days of the firecracker.
And just like in that day, it's a good idea to use extra safety precautions when using fireworks at home.
"You just take it and drop it down through here like that and there's your fuse. And like I say, put something heavy like a brick and brace it to where it won't tip over," said Pat Robinson, a worker for Orbit Fireworks in Baldwyn.
Robinson has been a fireworks salesperson for the past six years.
She said that a good bit of fireworks safety is just plain ol' common sense.
"We've got the little fire sticks that we use to keep the kids from having to use the lighters or a cigarette. And I always try to tell parents to be sure and take a water hose, especially this time of year with it being so dry," Robinson said.
She also recommends -- as does the National Council on Fireworks Safety -- that parents and caretakers should always closely supervise children if they are using fireworks.
In fact, she agrees that parents should not allow young children to use fireworks at all.
Fireworks should only be used outdoors. Also, experts say to read the caution label before igniting.
"You can't be too careful," Robinson continued.
Keep those tips in mind she says and your 4th of July fireworks celebration should be a safe one.
