ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — "It ought to be solemnized with Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." John Adams, second President of the United States, writing to his wife, Abigail about the Fourth of July.

Dazzling lights. A resounding BOOM in the yard. Kids screaming in delight, clutching their ears. Dads (and some Moms) are grinning broadly. There’s a smell of gunpowder in the air.

Looks, sounds and smells like someone is having a backyard display of fireworks for the Fourth. It’s a tradition, and while it can be dangerous, with a little care, the display can be safe fun for all.

“I don’t recommend it (home displays) even under adult supervision,” said Dr. Ron Lee, a physician at the Occupational Sports Medicine and Pain Management clinic in Gulf Shores in a telephone interview.

Lee has emergency room experience, and has “seen it all” when it comes to fireworks injuries. He recommends people head to one of the many professionally-done displays in the area.

“You have eye injuries, skin burns, and acoustic injuries (hearing loss),” said Lee.

However, Dr. John Steinberg, second vice president of the Pyrotechnics Guild International, an organization of amateur and professional fireworks enthusiasts says in a telephone interview that with some caution, fireworks can be backyard fun (where legal) for all. This Fourth of July, he’ll be setting off a large professional display in Pottstown, Pa. He’s licensed to use “Class B” fireworks. Home fireworks, the type you buy legally, are “Class C.”

“The PGI promotes safety,” Steinberg said. “In my practice (Steinberg is an internist in Maryland) of 20-plus years, I have seen everything that can happen. Fireworks injuries are dramatic when they happen, but they are rare.”

The important thing, Steinberg says is “… to follow directions, and use proper safety equipment. You really have to violate one of those directions to get injured.”

Both physicians agree that lighting fireworks is an adults-only amusement.

“I really recommend that all of it (lighting fireworks) be done by adults,” said Lee.

Children, Lee explained, somehow manage to do the wrong thing at the wrong time despite their parents “being right there.”

“FIreworks injuries can be difficult to treat,” Lee said. “We can take care of the wounds, but the pain is fairly severe.”

Should an injury occur, Lee recommends irrigating the wound with cool water to treat the burn and remove any caustic chemicals (tap water will do) until emergency help can be summoned or arrangements can be made to take the injured person to the nearest emergency room. Oily dressings and home treatments are to be avoided.

“Don’t try to treat yourself,” Lee recommended. “Go to the nearest medical facility.”

“These are preventable injuries,” said Lee, adding that while the physical scar may heal, the mental scars coming from getting hurt at what is supposed to be a fun activity may linger for a youngster.

“The best way to enjoy fireworks is to go to a professional display,” said Lee.

But, if “The Glorious Fourth” isn’t so glorious without a roman candle or two in the yard or a few thing going boom, there are plenty of places where you can get your fill.

“They can be dangerous. You have to respect what they are. You have to use common sense,” said Bill Stephens. Bill, along with his ex-wife Linda Stephens, operates the Sharkey’s fireworks store on Highway 59 in Summerdale.

“You want to look at the safety precautions we have printed on our bags,” said Paulette Travis, the manager of the Fireworks World store along I-10 in Robertsdale.

Some of those precautions just sound like common sense: Buy your fireworks from a reputable source, don’t make then yourself, follow instructions, read those instructions before lighting, no alcohol consumption before lighting them off, use outside, and don’t shoot them at each other.

“Another one a lot of people don’t think about is don’t use a glass container to shoot off bottle rockets,” added Travis, explaining that the glass can shatter, possibly causing injury.

“People should also wear eye protection,” said Travis. Travis has been working at the store, which is open every day of the year except Christmas, for 18 years.

Both the Stephens and Travis say that they try out new goods in their store’s parking lots, well away from the buildings.

“There really wasn’t much that is new this year,” said Travis wistfully.

Making sure that it’s OK to shoot where you live is extremely important.

“You want to check with law enforcement (to see if home fireworks are legal) in your own community,” said Linda Stephens. “You also shouldn’t be shooting them at each other.”

The Stephens are aware that a number of their customers are tourists in the area and may not be familiar with fireworks. That’s one of the reasons why they also urge people to read the directions carefully before everyone is excited and wants to “set them all off.”

“The majority of customers are from out of state,” said Bill Stephens.

“We see a lot of people who are traveling by on the Interstate,” said Travis. “We have a lot of people who pick up some fireworks for a birthday or a wedding.”

There is one customer who stands out in Travis’ mind.

“We had one customer who was stationed with the Coast Guard in Mobile, and he’d go to visit his father who lived just south of Miami,” recalled Travis. “He came in one day, and bought a bunch of fireworks. He explained that his father had passed away, and the his dad had asked that the family celebrate the day they buried him with fireworks. He said his Dad said, ‘I’ll be looking down and smiling.’”