With the Fourth of July weekend fast approaching, public safety officials are encouraging residents to be cautious if they choose to set off fireworks.

“If you want to be totally safe don’t shoot them off… but if you are, make sure that you are using good common sense,” said Larry Lamb, Niles Fire Chief.

Michigan law allows people to use fireworks on the day before, day of and day after the 10 national holidays.

That means — in the case of the Fourth of July — fireworks can be used by the general public on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Lamb advised people to be considerate to their neighbors when setting off fireworks.

“There is no reason to be out at 2 o’clock in the morning shooting off fireworks,” he said. “Most people understand it at 10 o’clock on the Fourth of July, but when it is the eighth, the 10th and the 12th of July obviously that takes away from everybody else’s ability to enjoy their property.”

People ages 18 years of age and older can purchase and use consumer-grade fireworks, which include things like roman candles, firecrackers and bottle rockets. Low-impact fireworks, such as sparklers and cones, and novelties are also allowed.

“Even sparklers can get up to 1,400 degrees so you want to be very, very careful with how you use all those things, and where you use them,” said Lamb, adding that if it comes in a brown paper bag it is likely not a consumer firework. “Those are professional fireworks and you need a license for those.”

According to the latest data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, injuries from fireworks accounted for 11,400 emergency room visits and eight deaths in 2013. The most common injuries were to the eyes, hands, head, and face. Most inflictions were to bystanders rather than the activators of the fireworks themselves.

State Fire Marshall Richard Miller offered the following tips for staying safe this Fourth of July holiday:

• Always purchase fireworks from an authorized retailer and follow the manufacturer’s directions.

• Do not buy fireworks packaged in brown paper, they are for professional use.

• Have an adult supervise fireworks activities, including sparklers.

• Light fireworks one at a time, then immediately back away to a safe distance.

• Keep people and pets out of range before lighting fireworks.

• Light fireworks outdoors on a driveway or other paved surface at least 25 feet away from houses and highly flammable materials such as dry grass or mulch.

• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.

Douse spent fireworks in a bucket of water before discarding them.

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.

• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.

• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.

• Never point or throw fireworks at other people.

• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

• Never purchase or use unlabeled fireworks, experiment with or make your own fireworks.

• Never te-light “dud” fireworks that have not fully functioned; (instead, wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water).

A list of legal consumer fireworks, legal low impact fireworks, and novelties is available online at michigan.gov.

To learn more about fireworks safety, the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act, or obtain a list of state-certified fireworks retailers, go to the Bureau of Fire Services website at michigan.gov/bfs.