• Ensure that sparklers are legal where you live prior to purchase.

• Sparklers are best handled by people ages 12 and older. Children younger than 12 require extreme supervision.

• Everyone handling sparklers should wear closed-toe shoes, and not flip-flops or sandals, to protect their feet from sparks.

• Wear eye protection, such as safety goggles.

• Leather gloves or those lined with Kevlar can help protect hands against burns.

• Each person should have his or her own sparkler stick. Only light one at a time.

• Maintain a distance of six feet from one another while sparklers are blazing.

• Even though it can seem festive to wave a sparkler or make circles through the air, doing so increases the risk for injury.

• Remain in an upright position when holding a lit sparkler.

• Tossing or throwing the sparkler is extremely hazardous.

• Do not use sparklers (or other fireworks) while under the influence of alcohol.

• Sparkler sticks can remain hot long after the flame is extinguished. Keep a bucket of water nearby and dump some water on the sparkler after use. More sparkler and firework safety information is available through the National Council on Fireworks Safety at www.fireworksafety.com.