Fireworks are readily for sale in 26 states across the country despite the fact that thousand are injured in accidents every year, including a child and a man who were killed in separate incidents over the weekend.

In 2013 alone, an estimated 11,400 people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

"Safe and sane fireworks don't exist," said Judy Comoletti, NFPA's Division Manager of Public Education, in a written statement. "When things go wrong with fireworks, they go very wrong, very fast, far faster than any fire protection provisions can reliably respond."

States vary on which types of fireworks are legal, according to the USA.gov blog. Some states, like New York and Massachusetts, ban all types of consumer fireworks while Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Maryland, do allow some. Check with your state fire marshal’s office or local fire department to understand what, if any, kinds of fireworks are permitted.

Most large Fourth of July fireworks displays are handled by professional companies with fire department personnel standing by in case of an accident. The NFPA recommends people avoid fireworks for home use due to the danger of fire or accidental injuries.

Stories about fireworks-related accidents abound during  the early summer season, including two over the weekend. On Sunday, a 12-year-old Tennessee boy died when a mortar-style fireworks shell exploded in his hand, according to police in Nashville. That same day in Walled Lake, Michigan, a man died in another accident involving fireworks. Sources told a television news station there that the man tried to ignite a firework off his head.

Related story: 12 tips on how to stay safe while using consumer fireworks

Here are some recent statistics from the NFPA and other government and non-government sources:

  • In 2011, fireworks contributed to almost 18,000 reported fires, including 1,200 structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires, according to the NFPA.
  • The risk of fireworks injury is highest for young children, between the ages of 0 and 4, followed by children 10-14 years old, the NFPA states.
  • There are typically more fires reported in the U.S. on Independence Day than any other day of the year, and fireworks account for two out of five of those fires.
  • Between 2007 and 2011, on average about four people are killed each year due to fireworks.
  • Most common types of fireworks-related injuries include hands and fingers (36 percent), eyes (19 percent), heads, faces and ears (19 percent).
  • Fireworks fires resulted in $32 million in direct property damage insurance claims.

While most experts agree that it’s best to stay away from fireworks all together, if you are in a state where they are legally permitted, you should use extra caution. The U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission recommends that young children never been allowed to play with or ignited fireworks and an adult supervise all activities.

The NFPA released a video that tells the story of one such tragic incident.