ATLANTA , Georgia ( CNN ) -- The scar has faded over his left eye , but the fireworks injury that Tony Wittmann suffered when he was 17 taught him a lesson that he has n't forgotten . Sparklers burn at temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit ( about 1,100 Celsius ) . `` Teenagers being teenagers , we were shooting bottle rockets at each other from about 200 yards away , '' he remembers . `` One hit above my eye and stuck in my forehead and exploded . '' Emergency room doctors were able to stitch up the torn the tissue around his eye , but Wittmann was pretty shaken up . `` I thought at first , ' I 'm 17 and I 'm blinded for life . ' Once I calmed down , I realized I was OK , but it took all the fun out of the day . '' Wittmann , now a 42-year-old firefighter and paramedic in Shawnee , Oklahoma , uses the story to explain the dangers of fireworks to his young sons . `` I try to tell them to learn from my mistake . '' Every year at this time , he and his colleagues expect to be sent on a fireworks emergency call . `` Either a roof will be set on fire or someone will get burned , '' he said . `` I do n't think you 'll ever get an injury-free season . '' Health Minute : Watch more the dangers of fireworks » . Unfortunately , that 's true not just in Oklahoma , but in the rest of the United States as well . The Consumer Product Safety Commission keeps track of injury rates nationwide . Nancy Nord , the commission 's acting chairwoman , says fireworks injuries are common . `` Over 9,000 people are injured each year because of fireworks , on average seven people die , '' she said . The agency estimates that half the injuries occur among children . `` Little kids love sparklers , '' Nord says . `` But sparklers burn at temperatures up to 2,000 degrees [ Fahrenheit ] , and sparklers are the biggest cause of injury for children under 5 . '' Burns , lacerations and eye injuries are some of the most common injuries reported . Despite the risks , fireworks are more popular than ever . Bill Weimer , vice president of Phantom Fireworks in Youngstown , Ohio , says this is the busiest time of the year for sales . His company is the operator of the largest chain of fireworks stores in the country and expects to make 95 percent of its yearly sales between Memorial Day and July 4 . Three years ago , The Wall Street Journal estimated the six-week revenue to amount to $ 100 million , a figure Weimer does n't dispute . But along with increased profits , he contends , `` Fireworks products are safer today than ever before . Most of the injuries unfortunately are due to misuse and abuse . '' He strongly encourages people to read the directions and follow the rules . `` This product is wonderful family entertainment , but at the same time , you have to respect the fact that [ fireworks ] burn to function . ... Parents should watch their kids like hawks . '' That 's part of the No . 1 safety tip from the Consumer Product Safety Commission : Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks . The commission also warns users to keep a bucket of water or hose nearby in case of fire , to light fireworks only on a flat surface away from structures and dry leaves , and not to relight fireworks that have not fully functioned . Experts also tell bystanders to be out of range before lighting fireworks . It 's a rule Wittmann learned the hard way . `` People do n't understand you 're dealing with explosives . Most people take them for granted . I know I did . '' E-mail to a friend . Judy Fortin is a correspondent with CNN Medical News .
Consumer Product Safety Commission : Over 9,000 fireworks injuries annually . About half the injuries are among children , commission says . Burns , lacerations , eye burns among most common injuries reported .