As the July 4th holiday approaches, the pop, crackle and boom of Roman candles, bottle rockets and other firecrackers may become more frequent in your neighborhood.

But area police and fire officials are warning residents against setting them off.

"Our advice to people is enjoy the fireworks by leaving the displays to professionals," Urbana Fire Marshal Phil Edwards said.

Police and firefighters will be on the lookout for any illegal use of torpedoes, skyrockets, buzz bombs and other hand-held fireworks. In Danville, violators can be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or violation of the city's fire prevention code, Danville Public Safety Director Larry Thomason said.

Each year around the holiday, Thomason said, police receive numerous calls about illegal fireworks. He said firefighters have been called to extinguish fires that were started by fireworks, although those times have been rare.

Edwards said Urbana firefighters also deal with their share of incidents, mainly fireworks-related injuries.

"People have had to go to the emergency room," he said. He added the police department handles any complaints of fireworks being set off.

Champaign Deputy Fire Marshal John Koller said the fire and police departments will be making a joint effort to enforce the state Fireworks Act.

"Basically the only things allowed are pop caps, sparklers, smoke devices, trick noise makers and things of that nature," Koller said. "Bottle rockets and regular firecrackers are not allowed in the city. Generally speaking, if it explodes, shoots a flame or goes up in the air, it's illegal."

Koller said he will be checking retail stores in the city to make sure that they are not selling fireworks that are not legal to be used in Champaign.

While permitted, Thomason cautioned that sparklers can heat up to a core temperature of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.

"That's hot enough to melt some precious metals," he said, adding that third-degree burns can result at 220 degrees.

"Just because it's legal doesn't necessarily mean it's safe," Edwards added.

If adults decide to allow children to use sparklers at their home, police recommended the following:

— Supervise the activity.

— Teach children to hold the sparkler away from their body and not to swing it around.

— Make sure the sparklers are kept in an open area away from combustible items.

— Don't allow children to light the sparklers. Do it for them.

— Have a bucket of water nearby to discard the wires.