Wire type sparklers burn at a temperature of about 1,200° F and are particular risks for children. The Fire & Emergency Services Department urges that any use of such products be done under close adult supervision. Citizens should consider the impact of fireworks usage on their neighbors that includes noise, personal fear, the impact on pets, and other “good neighbor” effects. Citizens must be aware that the failure to control the flight of aerial fireworks may cause injuries and property damage, and you can be held accountable for your actions.

According to the National Fireworks Association the majority of injuries from "consumer-type fireworks" involve misuse rather than a malfunction of the device.
During the latest available one-month study conducted June 23 to July 23, 1999 by the Consumer Products Safety Commission, the following fireworks injury statistics were identified: There were 6,300 hospital emergency room visits for fireworks injuries.

About 75 percent of the injury victims were male. Children from five to 14 years of age accounted for 40 percent of the injuries. 20 percent of the injuries were to the eye. 40 percent of the injuries involved firecrackers. Rockets, sparklers and Roman candles each accounted for 10 percent of the injuries. Dr. John Hall, assistant vice president for the National Fire Protection Association says, "Safe and sane fireworks don't exist. When things go wrong with fireworks, they go very wrong, very fast, far faster than any fire protection provisions can reliably respond to. There are safer alternatives to using fireworks on the 4th of July." The NFPA reports that on the typical July 4th holiday, fireworks cause more fires in the U.S. than all other causes of fire combined. The Harris County Fire & Emergency Services Department urges people to take advantage of public firework displays, "These displays are the smartest and safest fireworks alternative for everyone because they are established and conducted under controlled settings and regulations." (Portions of this article are excerpted from a news release from the Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.)