Some local residents will travel hundreds of miles to firework outlets just to make sure their Fourth of July goes off with a bang.
But business has been booming even at local firework outlets this week, said James Stajos, owner of American Eagle Fireworks, 901 N. Larch St. in Lansing.
American Eagle Fireworks sells more than 500 varieties imported from China and ships orders all over the nation.
Stajos said his busiest time is always the two weeks before the Fourth of July, when thousands of customers shop at each of his three stores.
At one of his stores located in Indiana, Stajos carries fireworks that are illegal in Michigan.
He said most of his customers travel there from Michigan, but he only shelves legal fireworks in his Michigan stores.
Stajos said bottle rockets and Roman candles are always a hit in Indiana, but in Michigan, sparklers are the clear favorite.
"Those are always the best item you can sell," Stajos said.
Psychology freshman Jonathan Cole said he would rather travel to Ohio to purchase fireworks than view a professional display because he can get a greater variation that way.
"Watching them is the same over and over," Cole said, adding that when lighting his own fireworks, he swears by the "light them and run" philosophy.
Although Cole uses this technique, others aren't as lucky and don't escape fireworks injuries.
About 10,000 people nationwide are injured in fireworks-related injures every year, and most occur in the weeks around July 4, according to statistics by the National Fire Protection Association.
Even legal fireworks can pose a fire or health hazard, said East Lansing Fire Marshal Bob Pratt.
Sparklers, he said, can burn at more than 1,000 degrees and can be dangerous for small children. Pratt suggests taking precautions before lighting fireworks, such as keeping a bucket of water close by.
He also said that owning or selling illegal fireworks in East Lansing could result in penalties or a misdemeanor ticket.
Any fireworks making loud noises or leaving the ground are usually illegal and unsafe, Pratt said.
LuAnn Maisner, director of Meridian Township Parks and Recreation, said about 10,000 people are expected in attendance for the town's annual fireworks display at Nancy Moore Park.
"People love the fireworks - it's what keeps them coming back," she said, adding that this year's display cost about $17,000.
2005 MSU graduate Grant Munson sells only legal fireworks on Grand River Avenue.
"Fireworks have the ability to bring people together," he said, adding that there are advantages to both viewing a professional display and creating a smaller one at home.
"(With the small displays) everyone has a front-row seat," he said.
Staff writer Nick Pelton contributed to this report.
