Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies are urging people to stay away from fireworks and put safety as their top concern this upcoming Fourth of July holiday.

Although it is illegal to ignite fireworks in Shelby County without a Special Use Permit, countless people travel out of the county to buy firecrackers, bottle rockets, sparklers and other fireworks.

The Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Memphis Medical Society, an organization made up of more than 1500 physicians, wants to remind citizens of the dangers of using fireworks.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, fireworks cause more than 2,000 eye injuries during Fourth of July holiday celebrations. Some people lose all useful vision or have an eye removed due to fireworks injuries.

Here are some safety tips from the National Council on Fireworks Safety for those who still choose to illegally use fireworks:

• Never allow small children to handle fireworks
• Don’t throw fireworks at other people
• Fireworks should not be shot from metal or glass containers
• The shooter of fireworks should always wear eye protection and never have any part of their body near fireworks when lighting them

Sheriff’s Deputies will be responding to complaints involving fireworks. It is a Class E Felony to throw ignited fireworks into, or from, a motor vehicle and at, or near, any person or group of people.

It is also unlawful to ignite and explode fireworks within 600 feet of a church, hospital, asylum or public school.