GULF SHORES, Ala. — As we head into fireworks season, a lot of people who come to the Gulf Coast don’t realize that in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, fireworks are illegal. But chances are, even those who do will still light a firecracker or two.  It happens every year.

Fireworks are a traditional part of America’s celebration of Independence Day. But according to the Alabama Department of Public Health, even fireworks that comply with Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations can still be hazardous and can cause injury.

In 2007, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,800 people for fireworks-related injuries. Of those injuries, 56 percent were injuries to extremities while 36 percent were to the head.

Not only can fireworks cause bodily injury, they can also cause fires in the area. 

Last year, on the night of July 4, a sizeable fire was started by someone shooting illegal fireworks at Gulf State Park.

“It was probably a flare-type firework,” said Gulf Shores Fire Chief Hartly Brokenshaw. “It landed in a brush-type area and it burned for a while.”

Brokenshaw said while the novelty type fireworks such as sparklers or snap-n-pops are legal, people will still try to shoot other types of fireworks and it could keep the fire station busy.

“Some years we don’t get any calls, and others we stay pretty busy,” Brokenshaw said.

One problem that could result from fireworks this year is the long period of hot and dry weather that the Gulf Coast has experienced lately.

Brokenshaw said the lack of rain along with the way the wind might be blowing could cause problems from those shooting fireworks.

“We will be putting a sign out on Highway 59 for those coming into town, letting them know that fireworks are illegal in Gulf Shores,” he said.

In addition, the city also places flyers in the elevators of all the condominiums to alert tourists of the law.

“We still get a lot of calls during the July fourth celebration,” said Gulf Shores Police Chief Arthur Bourne.

Bourne said many of the calls that come in are from local residents that are reporting fireworks being shot.

“We want people to know that if they are caught, all of their fireworks will be confiscated and they will be fined,” Bourne said.

Even though sparklers are legal, they burn at more than 1,000 degrees and should still be handled with caution.

According to the Department of Public Health, 22 percent of fireworks injuries come from sparklers alone.