The Cedar Rapids Fire Department would like to remind citizens that caps, sparklers and snakes are the only legal consumer fireworks allowed in the City limits and state of Iowa.  Even though sparklers are legal, they are one of the most common causes of the 7,000 injuries from fireworks in the United States each year.  The tip of a sparkler burns at a temperature of more than 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.  Eye injuries and hearing damage are the most frequent types of injuries from both legal and illegal fireworks.

The Fire Department wants families to have fun this upcoming Fourth of July holiday.  At the same time, caregivers need to carefully supervise children so that they do not possess dangerous fireworks or mishandle legal ones.  The safest way to enjoy Fourth of July celebrations is to attend a public fireworks display conducted by professional pyrotechnicians. 

No further information is available.