New Orleans Fire Department Superintendent Roman Nelson has a reminder for residents planning on shooting off their own fireworks today: "Fireworks are illegal in Orleans Parish. Fireworks are dangerous. Every year, they cause a tremendous amount of injuries."
Nelson suggests leaving it to the experts.
"Go and see fireworks, the professional fireworks displays," Nelson said. "We'll have a beautiful one on the river."
Chief Nelson says even something as simple as sparklers can cause serious injury and property damage.
"Those sparklers burn at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit," he said. "They account for 29 percent of the fireworks...injuries every 4th of July."






