Children and fireworks are an explosive combination. Of the 12,600 people treated for firework-related emergencies in 1994, more than half were kids. Boys between 10 and 14 are the most injured.

Adult supervision offers little protection. In a 22-year study at a hospital in Kansas City, Missouri, doctors treated 316 firework injuries, and in more than half the cases, an adult was present. The study, published in Pediatrics, was conducted from 1972 through 1993 by Gary Smith, M.D., Dr.P.H., of Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Almost all the injuries were caused by legal Class C fireworks, such as bottle rockets, Roman candles, and sparklers. Class C fireworks are allowed under federal law and regulated by individual states.

The head was the most common injury site and burns were the most common injury.