The Tampa Fire Department has reported four serious injuries around the City of Tampa due to a lack of safety precautions by fireworks user during the Independence Day holiday.

One of these incidents took place in the South Tampa area in the 4100 block of Fairview Heights. In the early morning hours of the holiday, the fire department responded to the call which reported that a 24-year old male suffered a severed thumb after a firework exploded in his hand causing severe bleeding and trauma.

Incidents like this one have led Tampa Fire Rescue to once again stress the importance of safety and smart decision making for those who continue their celebration throughout the week of July 4.

If you have leftover fireworks and plan on celebrating through the weekend, be sure to follow these safety tips from TFD.

-Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

-Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often
a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they
could pose a danger to consumers.

-Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents remember young
children can suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of
about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.

-Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when
lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting
fireworks.

-Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

-Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

-Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

-Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.

-Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass
containers.

-After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of
water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.

-Make sure fireworks are legal before buying or using them.