July 4 is celebrated in many ways across the nation. Typically, celebrations include some combination of food and fireworks.

Although legal consumer fireworks that comply with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations can be relatively safe, all fireworks are hazardous and can cause injury.

Please be reminded that setting off fireworks inside the city limits of Nacogdoches is prohibited. A surefire safe way of celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks is to watch the Freedom Fest show downtown Saturday night.

However, if you are planning your own show outside the city limits, here are some tips from the CPSC to help you use fireworks more safely:

Do not allow young children to play with fire-works under any circumstances. Sparklers, considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing.

Older children should only be permitted to use fireworks under close adult supervision. Do not allow any running or horseplay.

Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from houses, dry leaves or grass and flammable materials.

Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that don't go off.

Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.

Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.

Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.

Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.

Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.

Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.

There have been some notable Independence Day celebrations, some with fireworks, some without. Author James R. Heintze at American University in Washington, D.C., researched these and compiled a list of the most notable. Here are a few found at www1.american.edu/heintze/fourth.htm:

1776 — The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence on July 6, 1776.

1778 — From his headquarters in New Brunswick, N.J., General George Washington directs his army to put "green boughs" in their hats, issues them a double allowance of rum, and orders a Fourth of July artillery salute.

1786 — In Beaufort, N.C., the courthouse burns down, the result of an errant artillery shell during a celebration there.

1800 — In New York, the first local advertisements for fireworks appear.

1817 — Only four original signers of the Declaration of Independence are alive on this anniversary: Thomas Jefferson of Virginia; John Adams of Massachusetts; Charles Carroll of Maryland; William Ellery of Rhode Island.

1865 — One of the first "Freedmen" celebrations occurs, in Raleigh, N.C.; Lincoln's "Emanicipation Proclamation" is publicly read in Warren, Ohio, and Belpassi, Oregon.

1942 — Fireworks in most cities are canceled due to war blackouts.

1976 — The nation's Bicentennial occurs. At 2 p.m., the time the Declaration of Independence was originally approved, churches and people throughout the nation ring bells to mark the occasion.

2008 — At Coney Island, N.Y., Joey Chestnut wins the Nathan's hot dog eating contest, an event that began in 1916.