For nearly 250 years, Americans have proudly shot fiery red, white and blue explosions high into the night skies.

According to one report, Indiana ranked seventh in the nation for spending more than $35 million on fireworks in one year, averaging about $5 per person. The amount of matches, lighters and torches required to set off all these explosives also highlights the risks of injuries and property damage.

Trevor Hash, division chief of prevention for the Noblesville Fire Department in Central Indiana, said planning ahead, even for backyard displays, is paramount.

“Setting up ahead of time, having a perimeter; you know, understanding how big the fireworks are going to be, having an adult set off the fireworks, not kids, and have a sober adult, even better,” Hash outlined. “Once the fireworks go off, we want to store them in water overnight.”

Hash pointed out a five-gallon bucket works well for wetting down the casings. He also urged everyone to be a good neighbor. Pick up litter and respect neighbors by obeying local fireworks regulations.

He added supervising children is extremely important.

“Little kids with sparklers — they burn 2,000 degrees, so they’re extremely dangerous — and so, glowsticks are much better options for kids; they get the same effect,” Hash recommended. “Pets around fireworks: pets run out, people chase the pets and then they get injured. And then, duds, we definitely want to make sure those go in a bucket of water.”

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports nine people died in 2021 in fireworks-related incidents, while about 11,500 people ended up in emergency rooms.