Posted on Fri, Jul. 04, 2008

The best way to avoid getting hurt on July 4th is to leave the pyrotechnics to the pros, but if you're going to set off your own fireworks, here are safety tips from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and other experts:

• Make sure a responsible adult is always present and in charge of all lighting fireworks and sparklers.

• Sounds obvious, but no fireworks indoors.

• Don't try to reignite ''duds'' or any product that doesn't work the first time.

• Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby.

• Be careful with small children; their eye-level could be closer to fireworks that burn lower to the ground.

• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.

• Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.

• Don't let kids shoot fireworks, adds Itzhak Dickstein, president of Neptune TNT Fireworks. ``And don't experiment.''