Officials are offering a few tips to make sure this Independence Day is a safe one.

While fireworks are illegal in Connecticut, residents should be aware that the sparklers and fountains that are legal burn at extremely high temperatures.

"Those burn extremely hot. So they're burning at about 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit. Now water boils at about 212 degrees so you can imagine, if you've ever gotten a scald burn from a hot cup of water, its significantly hotter than that. So it can cause a third-degree burn very quickly,” says Robert Smith, of the Fairfield Fire Department.

MORE: Fireworks guide

Smith says each year there are hundreds of fireworks-related accidents around the country, and each year, there are around 18,000 fires because of them.

Smith says the best way to not become a victim is to go watch the professionals do it. He says a number of the municipalities have professional shows.

Residents can see fireworks in Fairfield and Westport on July 2.  On July 3, there are fireworks shows in Norwalk, Stratford and Westport.  Derby, Shelton and New Canaan will have fireworks on July 4.