Since so many in our fine community feel that lighting fireworks off prior to the Fourth of July is OK and blowing up everything from mailboxes to hapless insects is a good time, we think it’s fine to give a little pre-holiday advice at this point.

While it may go in one ear and out the other, not unlike a poorly-aimed bottlerocket, it’s worth a shot — no pun intended.

But surely, attempting to revive the importance behind Independence Day is a lost cause. Untrue? Try an Internet search and you’ll find yourself reading more about Will Smith battling aliens than life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Oddly enough both the movie and the way we celebrate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence are marked with huge explosions.

Something which we feel is all too often addressed and all too often ignored. Yes, yes (pow) we’ll be careful with the (boom) fire (bam) … crackers. Etc.

So, here are a few things to consider this year. We’ll just call them our post-Fourth of July Want Ads.

WANTED: Slightly used, 1994 right hand thumb and pinkie finger for 10-year-old boy. Should be able to match those still existing on left hand.

WANTED: One brown eye for 18-year-old girl. Left socket. Looks like her mother’s.

WANTED: New skin for right forearm. Slightly tanned. No first, second or third degree burns please.

WANTED: Life for 11-year-old girl.

Think long and hard about who in your household may be getting their hands on fireworks this season and what you may “want” come July 5.