If you plan to set off some fireworks of your own to celebrate the 4th of July, firefighters say you should know the rules.
Fireworks can be shot off from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset statewide every evening until July 9, with exception of tomorrow.
On July 4, fireworks can be used between 10 a.m. and midnight. They must be shot off on private property or in public areas designated by the state.
Charlie Fraker is the Deputy Fire Chief for the city of Martinsville and says people should have a fire extinguisher nearby and wear safety goggles when shooting off large fireworks.
"Last year alone there were 230 injuries in the state and 71 percent of those happened between July 1 and July 9," Fraker says. "The majority of those were because of mishandling or malfunctions."
In order to decrease the likelihood of purchasing malfunctioning fireworks, Fraker says it's important to ensure they are purchased from licensed retailers.
He also recommends giving younger children glow sticks instead of sparklers due to their intense burning power.
More information regarding firework safety can be found here.