Fireworks usage is on the rise, and doctors are hoping the number of injuries that usually go along with it doesn't go up as well.

Illegal fireworks have become a growing a nightmare for neighbors. But annoyance is the least of concerns for Dr. Ivan Miller, head of Westchester Medical Center's Emergency Department.
"Many people are reporting more fireworks are being used, and we aren't even at July Fourth. With greater use comes a greater potential for accidents," says Miller.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year roughly 10,000 firework-related injuries were treated inside emergency departments, 75% occurring from June through July.

About half of all injuries are burns - hands and fingers at the top of the list.

"Sometimes the burn is the least of the problem because some of these fireworks explode at a tremendous force. If it happens in the hand, it blows up too soon or it's not released properly, we've seen just some tremendous hand injuries," says Miller.

In a just released report, the Consumer Product Safety Commission cites:

-400 injuries associated with bottle rockets

-800 with firecrackers

-900 with sparklers

"Sparklers burn very hot. They're capable of burning human flesh very easily. People think they're benign because they're legal," says Miller.

Miller says if someone hurts themselves with a fireworks to cool down the injury, cover it and get to the hospital.