DENVER -- Outdoor cookouts, parades and fireworks have become summer traditions. But playing with fireworks can turn into an unplanned trip to the emergency room. Even the fireworks that seem to be safe, such as sparklers, have left children with severe burns and eye injuries.

About 9,000 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for injuries involving fireworks in 2007. About one-third of those injured were younger than 15, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The part that I find the most frustrating are the young children. They don't know any better and as adults we're giving them these, basically, weapons to play with," said Denver Paramedic Division Capt. Gary Bryskiewicz. "A sparkler looks pretty, it's bright, it's attractive to a child. But you don't really realize that it's burning at 1,000 degrees."

Sparklers are often mistakenly considered to be a safe firework for young children, but they burn at very high temperatures, and a third-degree burn can occur after just 10 seconds of 130-degree heat. And, the sparks emitted can easily burn hands and ignite clothing.

Sparklers account for one-third of the injuries to children under 5 years of age, according to The Children's Hospital.

Bryskiewicz said the problem is that most people don't realize how dangerous fireworks really are.

Improper or illegal use of fireworks can result in death, blinding, amputations and severe burns. According to Prevent Blindness America, 40 percent of fireworks mishaps injure bystanders.

The estimated annual cost of fireworks-related injuries, according to the CDC, is $100 million.

Despite warnings to consumers on the danger of fireworks, the number of injuries reported every year has remained relatively steady.

And it's not just people being injured.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks result in more than $41 million in direct property damage each year.

"So it's really important for us to understand that fireworks really aren't safe; you shouldn't be playing with them," Bryskiewicz said. "If you want to see a fireworks display, please don't play with them yourself. Go to one of the professional displays that are going on around the Denver metro area, and I think you'll enjoy the holiday a lot more."

The penalty for igniting illegal fireworks within Denver County can cost up to $1,000 in fines and up to one year in jail.

For more information on fireworks safety, visit www.thechildrenshospital.org.