Celebrating the 4th of July always involves barbecue, good company, and fireworks. However, it's illegal to set off fireworks within 5,000 feet of Lockhart city limits. Even with the recent rain, Caldwell County remains under a burn ban due to drought conditions and high fire risk.  

So, for you and the rest of the community to still be able to enjoy fireworks safely, it's best to leave it to the pro's by attending a permitted fireworks show, like Sunday's Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza: 

Here are some safety tips on how you can enjoy these shows from the CDC and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
• To protect your hearing, be sure to enjoy the show from a safe distance.
• If a firecracker explodes near your ear, you could experience immediate hearing damage.
• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.