As the economy forces more families to stay at home for Independence Day, local fireworks vendors say they see a slight upswing in sales.

"Because of the economy, people are doing something at home now," said Suzi Green, who helps sell fireworks at the TNT Fireworks tent on Mundy Mill Road in Oakwood. "We sell what Georgia will let us sell, and these are perfect for children because they’re controlled."

Green and several others work there as a fundraiser for First Pentecostal Church of Oakwood. She said many customers have been browsing and plan to return by the end of the week to buy fireworks.

"I’m looking for something my 12-year-old boy would enjoy," said Tom Hinton, who stopped by the tent and bought sparklers. "And something safe. It’s so dry out and there’s 600 acres behind my house, so I don’t want to burn that down."

The tent offers single sparklers at 50 cents up to The Big Deluxe package at $200.

Arlene Hopwood stopped by on Tuesday with her son, Jacob, 6, before taking him to karate practice.

"He can’t decide what he wants," she laughed as he wandered the tent, picking up sparklers and fountain fireworks.

The biggest sellers at Phantom Fireworks on John Morrow Parkway are package assortments, said Jeff Hitchcock.

"The Pirates Revenge package was really popular; we sold out by the third day," he said. "It’s been pretty popular. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of fireworks in Gainesville?"

Although sparklers are legal and available in Georgia, Gainesville Deputy Fire Chief Jerome Yarbrough and Hall County Fire Services Capt. Scott Cagle discourage their use.

"We caution everyone to leave it to professionals," Yarbrough said. "A lot of parents give them to kids, and it’s not a safe idea. Plus, there’s dry vegetation and grass that can easily catch fire. We suggest everyone attend a public display."

Yarbrough noted that sparklers burn at 1,200 degrees, compared to wood burning at 575 degrees or a cake cooking at 350 degrees.

"That’s really hot, and sparklers were the leading cause of fireworks burns in 2007 at 22 percent," he said, quoting National Fire Protection Association statistics. He said the most fires are reported on July 4. "There’s misuse all over every year, but we can’t govern all the people who travel over the state border to get illegal fireworks."

The biggest concern during the weekend is for parents to know the difference between legal and illegal fireworks in Georgia, said John Oxendine, the state’s insurance and safety fire commissioner.

"People go over to Alabama, Tennessee or South Carolina to get illegal fireworks, and the general rule is if it explodes or elevates itself, it’s probably illegal," he said. "This includes things like Roman candles because they use more gunpowder and are more likely to cause serious injury."

Oxendine noted that tent vendors sell state-approved fireworks.