Independence Day means friends, food, good times, and — for a lot of people — fireworks. While fireworks are fun, they are dangerous and must be used with caution.

Last year, the state fire marshal reported 785 firework-related injuries and fires. In nearly a third of injuries involving children had no adult supervision, and nearly a quarter of the injuries were caused by sparklers.

Residents are asked to take precautions to keep children, spectators and pets safe and out of the way while using fireworks. Information about keeping pets safe and more comfortable can be found at www.kingcounty.gov.

Only adults should light fireworks or handle sparklers. Children should be taught to “stop, drop, and roll.” A bucket of water should be placed nearby in which to place all used fireworks, and water hoses or fire extinguishers should be close at hand to put out stray sparks.

The Snoqualmie Police Department will have extra officets on duty on Saturday, July 4, to protect the community.

In Snoqualmie, fireworks may be discharged from 6 to 11 p.m. on July 4.

Fireworks may be discharged only on July 4 from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. No one may possess or discharge any fireworks in any public parks at any time. Only legal devices may be used; a list of legal and illegal devices, as well as safety information, is posted on the city Web site.

Fire crackers, bottle rockets, missiles, and rockets are legal on tribal lands, but become illegal when possessed off tribal lands. Breaking the fireworks law can lead to tickets, fines and arrests.