With the Fourth of July mere days away, there are plenty of opportunities for residents to buy and use their own fireworks.

The opportunities are also there for people to get injured or run afoul of local laws.

Winchester Fire-EMS Fire Marshal Gary Henry said the city’s ordinance allows the sale and use of fireworks from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. beginning June 27 and ending July 6.

The county’s ordinance is more lenient, allowing the sale from May 15 through July 15, Clark County Fire Department Fire Marshal Chris Smith said. The county allows fireworks to be discharged any day between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. On July 4 and Dec. 31, the hours are extended to midnight, he said.

The city also requires they not be discharged within 200 feet of a structure or a vehicle and no one younger than 18 can purchase fireworks, Henry said.

Fireworks are basically explosives, they said, and can cause significant injuries if not handled properly.

“The biggest thing, especially with children, is to have adult supervision there,” Smith said. “There needs to be an extinguishing system, whether it’s a bucket of water or a garden hose.”

Henry said garbage can fires have started when people did not allow used fireworks to cool properly before tossing them in the trash.

“Never attempt to re-light a firework that didn’t go off,” Henry said. “Never point or throw fireworks at another person.”

“If its meant to sit on the ground, set it on the ground,” Smith said.

After recent rains, there is not a danger of dry conditions leading to other fires, though the possibility always remains, Henry said.

“It shouldn’t be too bad,” he said. “There’s always that chance because you never know where they’ll land.”