With the Fourth of July coming next week, Americans are preparing to celebrate the nation's Independence Day with a bang.

While many are expecting to watch fireworks as they enjoy a hamburger off the grill, they probably aren't expecting the thousands of injuries and fines that accompany this American tradition.

According to a 2006 study by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were involved in about 10,800 emergency department injuries in 2005.

Of those incidents, 45 percent involved children, four were fatalities and 6,500 occurred between June 18 and July 18.

In the past five years, Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh has received one to six fireworks-related injuries annually during the weeks around July 4, said Jackie Gauger, the hospital's public relations manager.

Because of these accidents, hospitals must be prepared for a possible increase in explosion and burn-related injuries in the next few weeks.

Although Butler Memorial Hospital hasn't seen many fireworks-related injuries in recent years, it is prepared if there is an increase in burn patients from holiday celebrations, said hospital spokeswoman Melissa Allen.

"We actually always have a disaster-preparedness plan," she said. "So, we can implement it at anytime if there is an influx of patients."

The plan, she said, involves pulling in additional staff from other facilities and departments.

Hospitals, however, are not the only ones who have to be prepared for the holiday celebrations.

Because Pennsylvania's fireworks laws are often ignored, often partially followed or often misunderstood, state and local police departments will play a role in the month's festivities.

Statelaw says businesses that wish to "perform, provide or supervise fireworks displays" in the state for-profit must register with the state attorney general in Harrisburg. All others must apply, in writing, to the city or township at least 15 days before their displays.

Once the permits are obtained, they are only good for the specific day requested.

As for buying the explosives in Pennsylvania, it is illegal to buy anything with more than 0.25 grains of explosive compound for use in the state, said Gary Garman, Butler Township's chief of police.

What this amounts to is firecrackers, skyrockets, Roman candles, aerial fireworks and other similar explosives.

"Basically, anything you light that goes 'bang' up in the air is illegal," Garman said.

This includes many homemade explosives that are concocted with household cleaners and supplies.

It does not include most ground or hand-held sparklers, toy pistols and snaps that you pop on the ground, he said, which are legal.

Pennsylvania residents, however, should not be so quick to buy these illegal explosives out of state. Fireworks companies are required to scan your drivers license to verify state residency and check if the items are allowed.

According to Garman, people who ignore the law and shoot off fireworks without the proper permit can expect to face a $100 fine and up to 90 days in jail for this misdemeanor if caught.

Specific penalties are decided by a district attorney on an individual basis, he said.

"Police will go, look for debris, arrest and then confiscate what you have," he said. "And no, this doesn't mean we go out and explode them ourselves. We typically cut them up to destroy them."

The Consumer Product Safety Commission offers these safety tips for a safe holiday celebration:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks

• Read and follow all warnings and instructions

• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks

• Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and flammable materials

• Never try to re-light fireworks that have not gone off

• Keep a bucket of water handy in case of a malfunction or fire.