In honor of “the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,” our local skies will light up with fireworks this Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Fireworks and Fourth of July are tied together like peanut butter and jelly, another all-American favorite.

However, with all the fun and excitement fireworks can generate during this festive weekend, they can also wreak havoc and cause injury and fires.

In 2011, 264 fireworks incidents were reported to the State Fire Marshal’s Office. There were 89 residential fires with an estimated loss of more than $568,846 dollars in 2011.

To add insult to injury, if you are lighting off fireworks within the Redmond city limits it can lead to a fine — up to $5,000 and maybe even jail time — up to a year — or both. Possession of illegal explosive devices, such as M-80s, M-100s and larger, altered fireworks, and public display mortars, is a federal offense.

For those living outside the city limits, it is legal to set off fireworks, but only on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight. Fireworks sales legally began Thursday and continue daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. through July 4. No sales can occur after July 4. To purchase fireworks, you must be at least 16 years of age with picture identification.

The purchase of fireworks over the Internet is illegal, according to State Fire Marshal Charles Duffy, so don’t try to get a deal on fireworks off Craigslist.

If you must set off fireworks — in a legal area and time zone — Duffy reminds residents to remember the three B’s of fireworks safety:

• Be prepared: Have water nearby and put your pets indoors.

• Be safe: Only adults should light off fireworks.

• Be responsible: Clean up fireworks debris.

The best way to safely enjoy fireworks this Fourth of July season is to use fireworks money for more treats for the barbecue and leave the fireworks show up to the professionals.

Here are some cool, nearby Fourth of July fireworks shows that you can check out:

• Bellevue Family Fourth: www.bellevuedowntown.org/events

• Fourth of July Fireworks, Kenmore: www.cityofkenmore.com

• Celebrate Kirkland, Kirkland: www.celebratekirkland.org

• Old Fashioned Fourth of July, Newcastle: www.ci.newcastle.wa.us

• Fabulous Fourth of July, Renton: www.ci.renton.wa.us

• Fourth on the Plateau, Sammamish: www.ci.sammamish.wa.us

For those who wish to see fireworks in Redmond, Derby Days offers its annual display at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 14 at Redmond City Hall campus, 15670 N.E. 85th St.

Do your part and play it safe while enjoying the Fourth of July.