Yes, big explosions are fun.

Things that fly into the air and explode are fun.

But what isn’t fun is losing fingers, frightening pets, starting structure fires, drinking too much and climbing behind the wheel.

And though it may seem obvious, the Fourth of July is the occasion where good times go bad quickly, without warning, and sometimes saying out loud the obvious can spare us heartache down the road.

A short cost/benefit analysis of the potential pitfalls may be in order to ensure Independence Day remains a fond memory.

-A $30 cab ride is worth it if you’ve been drinking.

Illegal fireworks and misusing legal fireworks really aren’t worth the risk.

-Dogs and cats should be watched closely, and kept indoors.

-Children should be supervised when lighting fireworks, and keep the hose handy.