Thousands of people are injured in fireworks related accidents each year and a majority those injuries happen around the 4th of July, which has prompted local firefighters to urge caution to anyone who may be using them during the holiday weekend.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at least 10 people were killed in firework related incidents in 2015, all deaths that firefighters said could have been prevented.
"The further away from your body the safer you are and you don’t have to run the risk of the embers coming back on your arm," said La Vergne's Assistant Fire Chief Mike Culberson.
Culberson and two other firefighters spent Friday morning demonstrating safety techniques for anyone shooting off fireworks at their own home.
His biggest piece of advice was to use a broom or stick to keep distance between yourself and the firework you are lighting.
