A group of agencies, including the State Fire Marshal’s office, is strongly advising that Ohioans refrain from using backyard fireworks on this Fourth of July. There are even stronger dangers this year because of the greater potential for fire as a result of the extremely dry conditions. Prevent Blindness Ohio supports a total ban on backyard fireworks in any given year. Last year, 9,600 people in Ohio received emergency treatment for firework-related injuries, and 65-percent of those cases occurred on or near the July Fourth holiday. Sparklers were the source of many of the injuries, to hands, fingers, eyes, ears, legs and other body parts. State Fire Marshal Larry Flowers recently put on a demonstration showing that sparklers burn between 1,200 and 1,400 degrees - a severe danger, especially in the hands of a small child.