DAPHNE, Ala. — The only big bangs lighting up the sky in Daphne for the Fourth of July weekend will be set off by city employees at Trione Sports Complex due to a state-wide burn ban by Gov. Robert Bentley and a city ordinance banning the sale and use of fireworks within city limits.

Daphne police Lt. Jud Beedy said the department wanted to remind people about the ordinance and give some safety advice.

“Typically, we don’t have a problem with people shooting off fireworks on a regular basis. We do typically get an exorbitant amount of calls on the Fourth of July with people using them for their own personal use within the city. That is why we wanted to … remind people that not only are (fireworks) dangerous by themselves, but with the weather the way it is, someone could quickly start a fire.

“The safest and best thing to do is go see one of the planned events that the cities are putting on that are done by professionals,” Beedy said.

Across the country, individuals use the Fourth of July holiday as an excuse to get together with friends and family, eat together and — once the sun sinks below the horizon — many begin shooting off fireworks.

Sparklers, bottle rockets and fireworks can be heard and seen for days surrounding the holiday, but the fun pastime is also a dangerous one.

According to data compiled by the National Fire Protection Association, a sparkler can burn at a temperature of up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, or six times the temperature required to boil water.

Beedy said the dangers of fireworks could put a damper on a fun holiday.

“They are incendiary explosive devices that can really do some damage to limbs and fingers and legs if they are not handled properly.

“Plus, at this time of the year, we got some rain today (Wednesday), but I am pretty sure we are still going to be considered to be in a drought. If there is any kind of wind and those things happen to catch a tree or some underbrush on fire, they can really start a fire quickly that can get out of control,” Beedy said.

The problem with fireworks is not limited to the safety of those setting them off, but fireworks have also been reported as the underlying cause of many fires that get out of hand.

According to data from the NFPA, in 2009, fireworks caused an estimated 18,000 reported fires, including 1,300 structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outdoors fires. No deaths were reported, but there were an estimated 30 injuries and $38 million worth of property damage. The number of fires associated with fireworks has decreased from more than 30,000 in 1999 to 18,000 in 2009.

In 2009, medical professionals reported 8,800 people were treated for injuries related to fireworks. Thirty-two percent of the injuries were to the hands or fingers, eye injuries accounted for 27 percent and face injuries accounted for 15 percent. Three out of every four injured parties were male. Those most at risk for injury are children between the ages of 10 and 14. Sparklers were the cause of one in every four firework-related injury.

The Daphne Police Department stated that residents should rely on public fireworks displays this Fourth of July holiday.

“The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period. Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals,” the department stated in a news release.

The city’s fireworks display is set for July 4 at 8:45 p.m. at Trione Sports Complex. Beedy said event planners are ensuring it is as safe as possible.

“A professional group has been called in and all safety precautions will be taken. They have taken every precaution that they can. Fireworks are still dangerous,” Beedy said.

A city ordinance prohibits the manufacturing, storage or sale of fireworks, and those violating the ordinance will have to appear in municipal court.

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