In a typical year, Independence Day fireworks cause more fires in the United States than all other causes combined. The Sparks Fire Department said Thursday that they encourage everyone to enjoy the holiday safely by leaving fireworks shows to the professionals.

“We’ve found that there is no safe way to use consumer fireworks without a substantial risk,” Sparks Fire Marshal Bob King said.

Personal fireworks are illegal in Washoe County.

Sparks Fire Department officials backed up their warning with a few statistics. Sparklers, fountains and novelties account for 40 percent of all emergency-room fireworks injuries.

“Sparklers reach temperatures of 1400 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough to melt aluminum,” King said.

About 10,000 people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries every year. About 40 percent of those injuries are to children 15 or younger. More than half of emergency room fireworks injuries are burns, and eyes are the most commonly injured body part. Prevent Blindness America cites the erratic flight path of bottle rockets as a tremendous risk. The explosive power of bottle rockets results in numerous injuries, preventing both children and adults from ever regaining normal vision.

Fireworks cause about 25,000 fires each year, resulting in $39 million in reported property damage with an estimated 1800 structure fires and 700 vehicle fires.

“Families need to understand the risks involved with using even legal consumer fireworks,” said James M. Shannon, president and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association. “Year after year we stand with physicians, firefighters, and fireworks victims, sounding warnings. But injuries continue to occur.”

More information from the Sparks Fire Department Prevention Bureau is available online at www.sparksfire.com (click on “Prevention”), or by phone at 353-2266.