Jul. 3--The safest fireworks are those launched by trained professionals, public safety officials say, but sales haven't waned for at-home displays as another Fourth of July holiday approaches.

Virginia law that makes bottle rockets, firecrackers and Roman candles illegal hasn't changed in years, but those sales also continue, and health officials continue to report similar injury statistics from fireworks -- legal and illegal -- especially in June and July.

In his fourth year selling fireworks on Rosser Avenue, John Biddle said sales have remained strong despite people tightening their belts in tough economic times.

The fireworks vendor made some adjustments to what he offers, introducing new smoke grenades and cutting back elsewhere.

"We didn't really order heavily on the bigger packets," he said.

The largest assortment Biddle sells is marked at $225, but he said he stocked more assortments in the $20 to $40 range this year.

Within a mile of Biddle's stand is a second vendor table in the Wal-Mart parking lot. There, volunteers are raising money for the Serenity Garden at Ridgeview Park.

"Friday and Saturday will be the really big days," volunteer vendor Peggy Reed said.

The stand stays open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

And with the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday this year, Biddle expects an even bigger boom than normal. He plans to extend hours to 11 p.m.

"I'll sleep under the counter, get up , and do it again the next day," Biddle said with a laugh. "We're here to sell."

Fireworks buyers should be wary of dangers amid the fun, officials say:

DANGER

Fireworks most often maim hands, eyes and the face, and require hospitalization in 5 percent of all fireworks incidents that make it to the emergency room, health officials report.

The National Fire Prevention Association reports an annual average of more than 8,000 fireworks-related injuries each year. From 1995 to 1999, fires started by fireworks killed an average of nine people and seven people were killed directly by fireworks.

Augusta Health has not reported any serious fireworks-related injuries in recent years.

Prevent Blindness America estimated 13,000 fireworks-related injuries are seen in hospitals each year, and that more than half of those injured by fireworks are children.

SAFETY

The Virginia Department of Fire Programs recommends against using fireworks at home.

"If at all possible, try to take your family to a professional licensed display," department spokesman Mark Buff said. "The last thing we want people to be doing on their Fourth of July is sitting in the emergency room."

He said sparklers are of special concern because they are treated casually while burning at temperatures as high as 1,000 degrees.

"It's not a toy," Buff said.

For personal fireworks, public safety officials advise users to:

-- Keep a bucket of water nearby

-- Do not relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Douse with water and throw them away.

-- Do not light fireworks in a container

-- Do not light fireworks near woodlands

-- Allow a wide radius around fireworks

-- Keep unused fireworks away from the lighting area

-- Do not use fireworks without warning labels

-- Keep children away from lighting areas

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