Firework tents are already starting to pop up in communities across the area as American's prepare to celebrate our freedoms during the upcoming Independence Holiday.

Each year over 10,000 firework related injuries are reported in the United States and in an effort to help keep families safe during the upcoming holiday, Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves offers the following safety tips and reminders:

• Have a "designated shooter" who has not been consuming alcohol.
• Remember bottle rockets and sky rockets which are mounted on a stick are illegal in the State of Kansas.
• Keep an adequate water supply close by while discharging fireworks.
• Parents should closely monitor children if they are discharging fireworks.
• Never experiment with homemade fireworks or alter those which have been purchased from a vendor.
• Don't position any part of your body of a firework when lighting them.

"It's also important for those who live within the city limits of Baxter Springs, Columbus, Galena and Weir to remember each municipality has their own ordinances related to specific dates and times when fireworks can be discharged," concluded Sheriff Groves.

Upcoming community Freedom Events include the Big Bang Bash at Galena City Park on Saturday, June 25th starting at 4:00 p.m., Light Up the Sky Independence Celebration in Baxter Springs on Thursday, June 30th, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the West 19th Street Ball Fields and the Columbus Fire Freedom Fest, being held on Saturday, July 9th, starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Columbus City Park.