The Fourth of July is this weekend, and what better way to celebrate your country than by blowing up a small piece of it.
But some loyal patriots just couldn't wait to get the festivities started, and they are now painfully paying the price.
On Wednesday night, a 28-year-old man was left in critical condition when a firework explosion blew up in his face, reports Chicago Breaking News.
The unfortunate man had placed the powerful explosive inside a tube on the ground in South Chicago, but it didn't detonate right away. Curious, the man looked into the tube.
The firework then went off, burning the man's face and eyes.
While that man has only himself to blame for his injuries, a Red Line rider put several other people at risk.
Early Thursday morning, 46-year-old Michael Barber reportedly lit a firework device while on a southbound Red Line train at the 63rd Street station.
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Obviously, he didn't see the 'No Smoking' sign.
Fortunately, no injuries resulted from the smoke bomb, Police News Affairs Officer Amina Greer told the Sun-Times.
Remember folks, fireworks are pretty, but they're still explosions. Be careful out there.
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will be providing tips on safety at a press conference later today.
Matt Bartosik is a Chicago native and a social media sovereign.
