Fireworks are fun, but they're also dangerous. Leave fireworks in the hands of the professionals by attending one of these fantastic Upstate Independence Day celebrations!

Area fireworks shows

Wells Fargo Red, White & Blue Festival

On July 4, this free show in downtown Greenville includes live music on two stages and ends with one of the state's largest fireworks displays.

Greer Freedom Blast

Party like a patriot as the City of Greer honors veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. The tenth annual celebration begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, and includes kids activities, a skydiving team, a rib eating contest and more, with a fireworks show that wraps it all up at 10 p.m.

Red, White and Boom

Spartanburg's Barnet Park hosts this annual Independence Day celebration on July 4. Admission is $5 (children under 6 are free) and begins at 6 p.m. with the Spartanburg Community Band. Headliners Jessie's Girls perform at 8 p.m., with fireworks following at 9:35 p.m.

A Day at The Lake!

Join the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce for a day full of festivities on June 29, beginning at 10 a.m. with the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Lake Welchel Trail, hiking and biking events and more, all culminating in a tailgating at the lake celebration at 7:30 p.m. and fireworks at dark.

Holly Springs Fire-Rescue Districts “Salute to America”

The festivities run all day long at the Holly Springs Fire Station in Inman, starting at 11 a.m. on July 4. A classic car cruise-in begins at 5 p.m. and fireworks illuminate the skies beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Fourth of July in Historic Pickens

Visit Historic Pickens for an Independence Day celebration made for the entire family. The celebration begins with live music at 7 p.m. and concludes with fireworks at 10 p.m.

Celebrate Simpsonville

Head over to the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park on Saturday, June 29, to hear the Atlanta Rhythm Section. Admission is free and the celebration begins at 6 p.m.

Just how dangerous are fireworks?

Approximately 280 people go to an emergency room with fireworks-related injuries every day during the weeks before and after July Fourth, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In 2017, 53 percent of fireworks-related injuries were burns to the head, face, ears, hands and fingers. Fireworks burns at 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt some metals.

“They have been known to remove fingers and toes, and can cause blindness due to eye trauma,” TJ Mack, BSN, RN-CEN, said. Mack is the trauma injury prevention and outreach coordinator for Spartanburg Medical Center, part of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System.

Burns are the most common fireworks-related injury, Mack said; it's important to remember that many of these products are considered explosives.

If you do suffer an injury this July Fourth, remember to call 911 if it's an emergency. Whether it's the low wait times at the Pelham Medical Center's emergency department or the highest level of care provided by the Level I Trauma Center at Spartanburg Medical Center, the experts at Spartanburg Regional stand ready to help you this July Fourth with 24-hour service.

But please, practice these safety tips and Don't Meet Us By Accident.

Safety tips

If you can't bear the thought of a July Fourth without lighting your own fireworks, we recommend you follow these safety tips, provide by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
•  Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Good health isn't just doctor visits … it's having the tools to make the best choices. Learn more at www.HealthyHappensTogether.com.