As I drove home from Wisconsin last weekend, it was all I could do not to stop at one of the tent sales. Each tent was filled with boxes of fireworks. I'm surprised there wasn't a fire truck parked next to each one in case of an explosion. While I was tempted to stop, I didn't because the only things I'd recognize were sparklers and cherry bombs.

There's something about fireworks that brings out the kid in me -- maybe in all of us. And I must admit that when I received the first e-mail announcement about a group of organizations that wants to ban consumer fireworks, my first reaction was "spoil sports!"

Years ago, one of the most memorable backyard fireworks displays I've attended was at the home of a fire chief. His son and my brothers shot off all sorts of things that lit the sky or rattled windows. We felt safe because we were surrounded by seasoned firefighters, but every once in a while something wouldn't boom or soar and the guys would try to relight or fix it. It could have been disastrous.

The number of accidents related to fireworks is staggering. This week, the National Fire Protection Association announced sobering information. In 2002, eight out of nine fireworks injuries involved consumer fireworks. Sparklers alone can heat up to more than 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (and we let small kids hold these things?). More than 8,800 people were injured by fireworks and treated in emergency rooms in 2002 and four people died. Half of all injuries involved extremities, one-third to the head and one-fifth to the eye.

Males accounted for 71% of the fireworks' injuries; however, female injuries were higher than the male rate for adults ages 45 or older. The highest rate of injuries was for teens and preteens.

According to one report, seven states currently ban all consumer fireworks: Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.

This year, however, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Association of Fire Fighters have joined a coalition urging a ban on consumer fireworks. While it may seem like one more American tradition to be stopped (along with trick-or-treating, throwing candy from parade floats or sounding sirens in a parade), the real world today continues to call for bigger, louder and more everything. The result is more injuries.

As members of the fire and emergency services community, it's our responsibility to support safety issues and educate citizens. Use this holiday as an opportunity to highlight the dangers of consumer fireworks and to urge people to attend public fireworks displays. Speak out to your local media today before someone in your community becomes a casualty. Ask firefighters and other members of your organization to set the example and help spread this message. Keep consumer fireworks out of your celebrations and have a safe holiday weekend.

Janet Wilmoth, Editor

(Update: Michael A. Waltzing, 17, died of head trauma on July 4, after fireworks apparently malfunctioned while he and his father put on a display at a campground in Webster, Wis. Click here for more details.)