Editorial: Leave fireworks to professionals

Maybe this year, parents will heed what a medical professional has to say. Anne Sumers, an ophthalmologist and spokeswoman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, wrote in Wednesday's USA Today that the nation saw 7,000 reported injuries from fireworks last July 4th, with 700 of them serious. One-third of these injuries resulted in permanent visual loss or blindness, according to the ophthalmology association.

Unfortunately, for many Las Vegas kids, July 4th isn't about celebrating our nation's independence; it's the chance to set off fireworks. The possibility of severe injuries alone should prompt most sensible parents to stop their kids from using them.

If you insist on letting your children get involved in this dangerous activity, at least buy the Safe and Sane fireworks, the only fireworks legal in Clark County. Still, the best option is to let the professionals do the job, and go to one of the many fireworks displays open to the public throughout the valley this July 4th.

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