Undoubtedly, during the next week in our area, a young kid will grab onto a hot metal sprinkler after it has gone out, and receive a painful burn blister. Another will have a firecracker go off in their hand just at the point of throwing it into the air, causing a painful wound, but nothing debilitating.

Those are the close calls as we enter the fireworks season. Here in greater Lewis County, were flooded with fireworks, both local safe and sane stands throughout all of our communities that opened yesterday, and also from the Chehalis Tribes scores of stands out in Rochester that sell fireworks that are illegal once taken off the reservation.

Sometimes our patriotic celebrations via fireworks turn deadly.

In 2007, an 8-year-old boy died when a small cannon exploded during a family gathering just north of Littlerock. A piece of metal flew through the air and struck the boy in the chest. Thurston County deputies reported pieces of the cannon were found more than 200 feet away from where it blew up.

A year later, a homemade cannon again blew up, this time in Rochester, sending hot shrapnel hundreds of feet right into a crowd of friends, injuring three. The cannon was supposed to make a loud boom. Instead, it sent a Rochester woman into intensive care after she was hit with two pieces of metal. She was seated about 80 feet away from the cannon at the time of the explosion.

The husband of the injured woman called it a freak accident. Thats the problem. If all goes as planned, we all enjoy a bright display of sparks, a big boom. Its when something goes a tad wrong when people get injured.

The State Fire Marshals Office in 2010 received reports of 162 people being injured by illegal fireworks. Of those, 50 were under the age of 14. In addition, fireworks caused a reported 414 fires last year in the state, including 18 residential fires causing $1.4 million in loss.

Most of the fireworks incidents are caused by males ages 15 to 21.

A few responsible steps drop the possibility of fireworks gone wrong.

Adults should light fireworks, not kids. If kids are lighting fireworks, make sure adults are supervising. Fireworks should be set aside in a secure area that young kids cannot access. Have water set aside and put pets indoors. Talk to your kids about the dangers of fireworks.

M80s and M100s might seem cool and fun, but they can cause debilitating injuries and even death.

Illegal fireworks include bottle rockets, firecrackers and missiles.

You can be held liable for injuries or damaged caused by your irresponsible use of fireworks.

Have fun this Fourth of July, but keep it safe.