With Independence Day on Monday, the weekend likely will see its share of fireworks, some of them fired up at home.

With that in mind, Phantom Fireworks of Youngstown, Ohio, offers this information on staying safe when using its products. Company Vice President William Weimer writes:

From 1994 to 2021, there has been a 74.7% decrease in injuries per 100,000 pounds of consumer fireworks used in the U.S., while there has been a 265% increase in consumption. Consumption has increased from 117 million pounds in 1994 to 428.8 million pounds in 2021, and injuries per 100,000 pounds of fireworks used during the same period dropped from 10.7 to 2.7.

Last year was a record-breaking one in the U.S. with the greatest use of fireworks and the lowest fireworks-related injury rate ever recorded. Use was up by a factor of four since 1994, while the injury rate is a quarter of what it was then. Truly incredible results.

In 1994, the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory first tested consumer fireworks in China for compliance with U.S. safety standards as regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Phantom Fireworks is a founding member of AFSL, which now tests about 75% of the fireworks coming into the U.S.

Phantom tests all consumer fireworks it imports to the AFSL’S standards, which exceed the CPSC standards. This is why we measure the fireworks-related injury rates beginning in 1994.

Phantom Fireworks, the nation’s top consumer fireworks retailer, is determined to maintain this positive trend and urges everyone to use fireworks safely and responsibly. As the Independence Day holiday approaches, Phantom reminds people to be respectful of their neighbors when shooting fireworks.

Make sure to let neighbors know the time you will be shooting your fireworks, and make sure the time is within what is permitted by local ordinances. Do not start too late in the evening, as most firework shows end by 11 p.m.

Among the key safety measures, Phantom Fireworks recommends the following —

— A sober adult should be in charge of the fireworks — children should never handle the products;

— Use common sense and be careful;

— Follow local laws on fireworks use;

— Use fireworks on hard, flat surfaces — if shooting on grass, lay down a plywood board for a hard, flat surface;

— Have water readily available for emergencies — while a hose is best, a fire extinguisher or bucket of water will work as well;

— Keep plenty of distance between the launch site and spectators — 150 feet for aerials and 35 to 50 feet for ground items — and shoot in a clear open area;

— Brace aerials, tubes and fountains with bricks to avoid tip-over;

— Use safety gear, such as safety glasses and gloves, when lighting fireworks;

— Keep pets inside during fireworks use, as the noise can frighten animals;

— Douse fireworks thoroughly with water when done, then dispose of them in a covered metal container outdoors and away from any buildings;

— Clean up when the show is over, which includes picking up any debris that may fall into neighbors’ properties;

For the complete list of safety tips, go online to https://fireworks.com/education-and-safety/safety-tips.

The “Safety” section of fireworks.com also has fireworks use safety videos, state laws and regulations, chemical compositions of fireworks, and much more information useful to all fireworks enthusiasts.

“Safety is our top priority at Phantom Fireworks — particularly as more Americans are able to celebrate together with family and friends this year as we recover from the pandemic,” Weimer said. “It is important to remember that fireworks and safety must go hand-in-hand. We encourage all amateur pyros to take the time to understand how to properly use our products. Phantom Fireworks hopes everyone has an enjoyable and safe Independence Day.”