DANGER: Contrary to popular belief, the younger...

DANGER: Contrary to popular belief, the younger child is not the one most often injured by fireworks. . . . The National Fire Protection Assn. says 10-to-14-year-olds suffer the most, nearly 50% more than either older teen-agers or the 5-to-9-year-olds. . . . “They get cherry bombs and want to hold things and be macho,” says an emergency room nurse. . . . An exception: Almost half of all sparkler injuries are to children younger than 5 because some parents think that sparklers are harmless. They burn at 1,200 degrees, sear flesh and ignite hair and clothes.

Fireworks Toll For Orange County in 1989 Fires caused by fireworks: Legal: 58% Illegal: 41% Unkown: 1% Injuries caused by fireworks: Legal: 47% Illegal: 37% Unkown: 16% Source: State Fire Marshall