For lots of people, the Fourth of July wouldn't be the Fourth of July without fireworks*. But if you're not careful, recklessness could turn your holiday into a tragedy.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission tells of these instances where kids were injured--and even killed--in fireworks accidents:

• A 12 year-old, celebrating his team’s basketball championship, lost an eye when he and his friends set off fireworks. He now wears a glass eye.
• A 7 year-old boy lost half his left hand when he ignited an M-80 firework found hidden in a family bedroom. The M-80 exploded in the boy’s hand.
• An 8 year-old girl was badly burned on her leg when a sparkler ignited her dress.
• Three teenage boys shot a Roman Candle firework into a large wooded area. Fourteen acres burned before the fire was extinguished.
• Two boys, 8 and 10, were seriously burned on their arms when a bottle rocket exploded in their garage. The garage and a car were totally destroyed.
• An 8 year-old boy lost three fingers after igniting an M-80 firework on the kitchen stove. The victim was on his way outside when the device exploded in his hand.
• A 12 year-old girl in San Antonio, Texas was killed when a bottle rocket, set off by a 6 year-old neighbor, struck her in the head.
• A 17 year-old boy from Shawano, Wisconsin, was playing with a fireworks device that exploded - and killed him.
• An 8 year-old boy from Selmer, Tennessee was killed when he and his brother played with fireworks in their grandmother’s yard.

To keep your holiday safe, make sure you follow these simple safety precautions:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Read and follow all warnings and instructions.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
• Never try to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned.
• Keep a bucket of water in case of a malfunction or fire.

*Be sure to find out if lighting your own fireworks is legal where you live before planning your holiday light show! Click here for information on federal and state regulations .