Around the fourth of July, the number of fireworks-related injuries drastically go up. Of last year's nearly 10,000 emergency room visits due to fireworks, 64 percent were in the month surrounding the fourth of July.

Kevin Portillo lit a sparkler Monday, when suddenly his clothes caught on fire. His friend Justin Desousa witnessed the terrifying ordeal. "He kept running and the fire kept getting on him."

About 45 percent of Kevin's upper body was covered in second-degree burns and he was sent to a Boston burn unit for treatment.

Another local boy, Ben Zett, is still feeling the effects of his fireworks injury from six summer's ago. His dad was setting off bottle rockets, a family tradition each summer. His parents told him to stay back, but Ben crept up for a closer look. "It came up like this and came toward me and exploded in my eye."

A piece of metal flew into Ben's right eye causing inflammation and bleeding as well as detached his iris. Ben's doctor managed to save his eye but his vision is still impaired. "my left eye does most work and if covered up, it's blurry."

The American Academy of Opthalmology says fireworks cause about 2,000 eye injuries every year. Three-fourths of which happen to boys between ages 13 and 15.

"A fourth will end up with significant loss of vision. 1/20 eye will be removed," said Ophthalmologist Dr. Mohamad Jaafar.

Since the incident, the Zetts have banned fireworks at home and stick to public displays.

"We'll let the professionals do it, we'll just observe from safe distance."

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends young children never be allowed to play with fireworks but if fireworks are being set off, adults should supervise. 

» Fireworks Over America Recalls Fireworks Due to Shock Hazard 

• Oh Chute Parachute with Streamer Fireworks
• About 84,250 sold.
• Distributor: Fireworks Over America, of Springfield, Mo.
• Hazard: The parachutes can become entangled in overhead power lines causing a shock hazard to users and bystanders.
  Incidents/Injuries: Fireworks Over America has received one report of entanglement, in which a consumer's hand was burned and shocked. 
• Sold by: Various fireworks stores nationwide from April 2007 through June 2008 for about $2.50 each and $8 a box.
  Manufactured in: China 
• Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the product and return it to either the place of purchase or Fireworks Over America for a full refund. 
  
  Consumer Contact: Contact Fireworks Over America at (800) 345-3957 or visit the firm's Web site.