4th and Ready: Safety is key to fireworks fun Published June 28, 2013 By Earnest Baxter Tinker Fire and Emergency Services TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Fourth of July is just around the corner and most of us have probably not stopped to think about what we are going to do for the holiday. Because Independence Day falls on a Thursday this year, most will enjoy a four day weekend. The Fourth of July is the single most accident associated day of the year. There are more fires and injuries recorded around this holiday than any other holiday throughout the year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, around 11,000 people will report fireworks related injuries and more than 2,000 of those injuries will be to the eyes. Most injuries occur to the hands and fingers of spectators who are struck by uncontrollable ordinances of fireworks displays gone wrong. Fireworks Injuries To prevent injury and property damage, Tinker prohibits fireworks (including in base housing) in accordance with Tinker Air Force Base Instruction 32-2001. It is also illegal to sell, possess or discharge (light) fireworks within the city limits of the following metro areas: Tinker AFB Del City Edmond Midwest City Moore Norman Oklahoma City Yukon Some area cities that do allow fireworks include: Choctaw -- from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 1-3 and 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. July 4 Okarche -- from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 3-5 Mustang -- from 3 to 10 p.m. June 27 to July 3 and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4 If you live in or are visiting one of the communities that allow the lighting of legal fireworks, follow some of these safety tips: · Don't let children play with fireworks. Sparklers can reach up to 2,000 degrees. Ensure your fireworks are legal and have proper warning labels, "Class C Common Fireworks". · Keep half a bucket of water on-hand to place used and dud fireworks in. · Keep fireworks on hard or green surfaces to prevent tipping or starting a fire. Stay away from dried leaves, grass and bushes. · Fireworks may not be set off within 500 feet of any church, hospital, asylum, public school, un-harvested agricultural crop or fireworks store · Fireworks may not be set off from vehicles or near a group of people As a reminder: the following fireworks are prohibited in Oklahoma: -- Bottle rockets -- Stick rockets -- Cherry bombs -- M-80's Leave the fireworks to the professionals and plan to see one of the many displays in the area. For more information on fireworks safety or a list of Independence Day events planned in the metro area, visit http://okc.about.com/od/citygovernment/a/okcfireworks.htm.