Light up Your Red, White and Blue Spirit With Sparklers This 4th of July!; Tips for Ensuring a Safe, Legal and 'Sparkling' Holiday in Georgia.

ATLANTA -- For the first time in many years, Georgians can let their patriotic lights shine bright on Independence Day.

With the signing of Senate Bill 133, Georgia became the most recent state to allow the purchase and use of sparklers and sparkling devices. It joins the ranks of forty-five states and the District of Columbia--85 percent of the U.S. population--that currently allow the use of some form of sparklers or sparkling device, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA).

"Independence Day is not only a time of celebration and remembrance, but also of tradition," says Tommy Glasgow, president of TNT Fireworks. "By following a few simple guidelines, Georgians can safely and legally incorporate sparklers into their Fourth of July traditions."

SPARKLER SAFETY 101

While fireworks usage has skyrocketed among Americans since the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission announced the current federal standards for consumer fireworks in 1976, fireworks-related injuries have fallen 88 percent, setting a 26-year low, according to the APA. Glasgow attributes the drop in injuries to intense product-safety testing and ongoing, aggressive consumer education.

The year following legalization of sparklers in Connecticut in 2000, the Connecticut Department of Public Safety reported a 57 percent decrease in all fireworks related injuries.

Glasgow recommends users follow all safety warnings and instructions that appear on sparkler packaging, and to remember key rules, such as never placing any body parts over or near a lit firework. By following these guidelines, Georgians can help ensure a safe and "sparkling" 4th of July:

--No one under 18 can purchase sparklers, and children should not light or handle sparklers.

--Always keep a hose and a bucket of water ready in case of an emergency.

--As with any purchase, check the credibility of the dealer to make sure their sparklers are reliable and that they come from a licensed source.

--To prevent them from tipping over, light fireworks on a flat, hard, leveled surface.

--While consumer sparklers have been approved statewide, some Georgia communities don't allow their sale and use. Make sure you're aware of local regulations.

"The more knowledgeable you are about sparklers and their proper usage, the more likely Georgia will be to have a safe, festive holiday," said Glasgow.

For information about where sparklers are available for sale in Georgia, visit www.tntfireworks.com.

BY THE NUMBERS

A[micro]   2002 recreational injuries to children under 14 requiring
emergency room treatment:

A[micro]   --  Bicycle Related Injuries                    41.67 %

A[micro]   --  Trampoline Related Injuries                 11.31 %

A[micro]   --  Skateboard Related Injuries                  9.11 %

A[micro]   --  ATV Related Injuries                         4.59 %

A[micro]   --  Playground Equipment Related Injuries        3.26 %

A[micro]   --  Horseback Riding Injuries                    2.03 %

A[micro]   --  Amusement Park Related Injuries              1.23 %

A[micro]   --  Consumer Fireworks Related Injuries          0.61 %

National Safe Kids Campaign, Safe Kids Website, www.safekids.org,
Recreational Injury Facts, Keep Kids Safe This Independence Day