Enjoy...Be Safe...and Send Me Pictures!

Ahhh, fireworks! I love them so much! BUT I get hurt nearly every year around the Fourth of July, mostly due to my own stupidity. I've caught sparks in my eye in the past, burning my contact to my eyeball. We've mis-lit launching fireworks, which have tipped and gone directly into the group of everyone watching. In 2020, an estimated 15,600 people were seen for fireworks-related injuries at hospital emergency departments, according to data collected by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. This was the highest estimate seen in more than 15 years. So while I love the beautiful flashing colors and patriotism, I also understand how dangerous they can be.

And this year is so dry, I am really hoping that no wildfires break out due to negligence of firework lightings. If you are out and setting off fireworks, please pay attention to what yourself and others are doing. If we are careful, we can enjoy a fire-free holiday! Rant over!

If you're the photo-taking type, see if you can catch an amazing fireworks shot for the Ledger to publish. The best shot, chosen by myself and a few friends, will win a lifetime subscription to the Ledger in thanks for their awesome photo.

Fireworks photos are hard - the timing has to be just right, and that is tricky when you never know when the dang things are going to burst. But the photos are so worth it when they come out perfectly!