Many Oklahomans enjoy celebrating America’s Independence Day holiday with colorful fireworks. Following a few easy safety precautions will help ensure accidents and injuries do not dampen the fun.

Inside the City of Henryetta, an annual permit must be obtained by any person, business or association that plans to use fireworks within the city limits, according to the city’s fireworks code. The permit cost is $15.

Use of fireworks within the City of Henryetta are allowed between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on July 3 and July 5 and between the hours of 10 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on July 4.

City of Henryetta’s fireworks code also states that no fireworks shall be used within 500 feet of a gas station or other location that sells, stores or distributes flammable gases, including petroleum, propane or natural gas. No use of fireworks shall take place on property owned by the City of Henryetta, including streets and alleys. Also, no fireworks shall be used within 20 feet of a structure or vehicle. The site must be mowed so that no weeds are ignited by the use of fireworks. A working water hose or fire extinguisher must be within 10 feet of the ignition location.

Before buying or using fireworks, families should make sure it is legal to possess and discharge them in an area.

Young children should not be allowed to play with or ignite fireworks and adults should always supervise.

When lighting fireworks, avoid holding any part of the body directly over the device. Once the fuse is lit, quickly back away to a safe distance. Also, avoid pointing or throwing fireworks at or near other people.

Do not try to relight a firework that does not fully ignite.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 250 people visit hospital emergency rooms daily for fireworks-related injuries in the month around the 4th of July holiday.