What is the Fourth of July without a big bang?

Gwinnett fire officials recommend letting the professionals handle that part of the festivities by attending one of multiple public fireworks displays planned throughout the area on Thursday and Friday. If you simply must do it yourself, be mindful of the danger posed by North Georgia's third year of record-setting drought and the risks that dryness poses. Stick to the list of approved fireworks. Anything that flies or explodes is a no-no.

Kimberly Smith/AJC (ENLARGE)

Travis Wilson explains how different fireworks look when lit to customers Christina Doan (left) and sister Angela Decenso of Norcross as they shop Tuesday at the TNT Fireworks tent in the Sam's Club parking lot at the corner of Steve Reynolds Boulevard and Venture Drive.

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The price of carelessness

In 2006, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,200 people for fireworks-related injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Gwinnett's two largest emergency rooms do not keep such injury statistics.

Dr. Earl Grubbs, director of the emergency department at Emory Eastside Medical Center in Snellville, says there is a "bit of a bump" around the Fourth of July with burn and fireworks-related injuries, and a few more strains, sprains and other summer-type ailments.

Andrea Wehrmann, spokeswoman for Gwinnett Medical Center, said summer holidays bring more people to its ER for injuries from DUI crashes, water-related accidents, sunburns and fireworks and grill burns.

THE LOWDOWN ON FIREWORKS

• Purchase fireworks from a licensed and reputable vendor.

• Never give fireworks to children.

• Read directions and inspect fireworks for defects.

• Keep a bucket of water, garden hose or portable fire extinguisher close by.

• Ignite fireworks outdoors, away from buildings or any combustible material.

• Never attempt to fix or re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks.

• Ignite only one firework at a time.

• Make sure no smoldering fires or sparks from falling firework debris remain before going in for the night.

— Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services