Professional fireworks make a better display, which you and your family can watch in safety. Young people suffer the great majority of fireworks injuries, most frequently injuries to the eyes, head, or hands. Losing your sight or losing a finger is a tragic price to pay for a few minutes of fun with fireworks. Even seemingly harmless sparklers cause many injuries. For children under 5, sparklers account for three-quarters of all fireworks injuries.
Injuries are only part of the problem.
In 1999, local fire departments were called to some 45,900 fires started by fireworks. And, yes, people do die from fireworks injuries and from fires started by fireworks. Fortunately, the death toll is a lot lower than it was in 1902, when fireworks were legal in most states. That year, fireworks and fireworks-related fires killed more than 200 people. Leave fireworks to the professionals.