Lighting off fireworks is an American tradition unlike any other with millions of participating in creating fireworks displays.

For years now, Lake Effect Fireworks has been one of Erie's go-to shops if you are looking to buy them.

When dealing with fireworks though, safety always comes first.

Owner, John Szymanowski, said the first things you need to have are ways to put fires out.

"Always have a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher. Number two, if you are going to shoot 200 Gram Cakes, you are going to want to make sure they are safely secured, so you can either glue them to a board or put a brick on each side so that they will not tip over on you," Szymanowski said.

He also explained what some of the do's and don'ts are of lighting off fireworks.

Do make sure to be cautious when hand lighting.

"Make sure to not have your face over the top of it, stay back a little bit, light the wick and get away as far as you can," he said.

Don't drinking alcohol while trying to light them off.

"I know a lot of people like to drink because it is the Fourth of July but try to stay as sober as you can because sometimes alcohol and fireworks do not mix too well," he said.

Since Memorial Day, business has picked up with more and more people coming in and getting their displays ready for our national holiday.

Szymanowski said the most important thing to remember though, is that a safe Fourth of July is a happy Fourth of July.

"Everybody is coming out, everybody enjoys shooting off fireworks for the Fourth and we just want everybody to be safe and have a happy Fourth of July," he said.