With fireworks-related emergency room visits on the rise, Iowans are encouraged to exercise caution when lighting their favorite sky rockets and Roman candles over Fourth of July weekend.

In the most recent data available, the Iowa Department of Public Health recorded 167 cases of fireworks-related injuries resulting in emergency department visits in 2020. In 2019, 127 fireworks-related emergency department visits were reported, down slightly from 143 in 2018 and 159 in 2017, the year Iowa's longstanding ban on retail fireworks sales was lifted.

Still, these numbers were dramatically higher than the reported fireworks-related ER visits from 2009-2016, which stayed in the double digits and ranged from 38 to 86 incidents each year. 

According to State Fire Marshal Dan Wood, many injuries stem from the improper disposal of fireworks. 

"A big thing we saw come up last year was the disposal," Wood said. "People would think they (the fireworks) were out, they'd throw it in a dumpster or their personal trash can in their house and there seemed to be a lot of dumpster or trash can fires, which can spread. Just make sure they're out before you throw them away."

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Some cities prohibit the unlicensed use of fireworks altogether, including Altoona, Clive, Des Moines, Johnston, Pleasant Hill, Urbandale, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights.

In Des Moines alone, police have received 365 fireworks-related calls so far in 2022, according to Des Moines Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek.

Parizek said the department received 1,707 fireworks-related calls in 2021, 834 of which came between July 1-5. In 2020, there were 2,769 fireworks-related calls, 1,079 of which were made from July 1-5. 

For those who want to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, Parizek recommends finding a professional display happening around the Des Moines metro. 

"Blasting off fireworks in our neighborhoods can be dangerous not only to the person detonating them, it’s a potential fire hazard, and it’s horribly inconsiderate of many who are sensitive to the noise — pets, children, veterans who suffer from combat-related PTSD," Parizek said. 

The fine for the unlicensed use of fireworks in Des Moines can exceed $600 — a "pretty hefty price to pay for something you can watch a pro do for free," according to Parizek.

Other municipalities allow fireworks but place restrictions on the dates and times they can be used, such as Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Grimes, Indianola, Norwalk and Waukee. Wood urges Iowans to be aware of their local ordinances before setting off fireworks. 

More:Where can you set off July 4 fireworks in the Des Moines metro?

"Those are put in place for a reason," Wood said. "The local jurisdictions just want everybody to be safe, and when you've got houses that close, there are things that can catch on fire, particularly houses and stuff around houses like grass clippings."

While Wood does not discourage Iowans from setting off their own fireworks, he emphasized that safety should always be the priority. 

"More or less, as far as the injuries go, it's misuse," Wood said. "Whether it's some fireworks that someone didn't think go off and then it goes off, or just the misuse of the actual device, whether that be pointed at somebody or just not using them how they're supposed to be used."

Obeying local ordinances and following safety guidelines can help make a holiday memorable — for the fireworks and fun, not an emergency room visit.  

Here are 20 safety tips from the State Fire Marshal's Office, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Transportation and National Council on Fireworks Safety.

1. Never attempt to light a firework or fuse within your vehicle, either as a driver or a passenger.

2. Never smoke near or while handling fireworks.

3. Transport fireworks in a spark-proof container, such as a cardboard box. Firework assortments are typically packaged in spark-proof materials.

4. Transport fireworks in your vehicle's trunk, not in the passenger compartment.

5. If driving a van or other vehicle without a trunk, always ensure fireworks are kept out of direct sunlight.

6. If you are flying, Federal Aviation Administration regulations prohibit the possession and transportation of fireworks in your checked baggage or carry-on luggage.

7. Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks and read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.

8. A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities. Never give fireworks to children.

9. Sensitive individuals should stay upwind, a safe distance from fireworks smoke. People with asthma or respiratory difficulties, the elderly, children and pregnant women are most likely to suffer.

10. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcoholic beverage for later.

11. Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles. Wear safety glasses and light one firework at a time and quickly move away.

12. Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.

13. Always have a bucket of water and water hose nearby.

14. Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them into metal or glass containers.

15. Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.

16. Unused fireworks should be kept in a cool, dry place and out of the reach of children.

17. Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials.

18. Never place fireworks on top of an electrical appliance, like a refrigerator or freezer. The appliance could be damaged through extreme weather events, such as lightning or power surges, which could ignite the fireworks.

19. Don’t bring pets to a fireworks display, even a small one, and never shoot fireworks near pets.

20. If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound of fireworks.

Grace Altenhofen is a news reporter for the Des Moines Register. She can be reached at galtenhofen@registermedia.com or on Twitter @gracealtenhofen.