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LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - It is the land of the free, but after a holiday such as the Fourth of July, it becomes the land full of used fireworks.

While used fireworks may look harmless, they might still have a little spark left in them.

One KPLC viewer found out just how important it is to properly dispose of fireworks Thursday night.

Mary Kaye Pinch-Allemond said her family finished popping fireworks and threw them away in their outdoor garbage can. Three hours later, the can caught on fire.

Pinch-Allemond said a neighbor spotted the fire and woke her and her husband up. They were able to put out the fire, and did so again after it reignited.

Fortunately, the fire did not spread to their car or their house, where their grandchildren were staying the night.

It is always recommended to soak used fireworks in water to fully put out any sparks. Using the right trashcan can also play a huge role.

“After you’ve lit your fireworks and they’ve done what they’re supposed to do, it is best to put them in a non-combustible container like a metal trashcan,” Ward 6 Fire Chief Todd Parker said.

“Do not just take them from where you’ve popped them. Put them in your plastic trashcan, and put them on the side of your house,” Houston River Fire Chief Dean Lappe said.

Improper disposal of fireworks can also lead to environmental harm, as used fireworks left on the street can make their way to the drainage systems.

“Here in Southwest Louisiana, we are up for thunderstorms to build up at any time of the day, it is part of our weather pattern. It washes the boxes down to the drainage, plugs culverts, and it causes issues around the community of a possible flooding concern,” Lappe said.

Used fireworks are not the only ones that can cause problems, as brand-new sealed fireworks may become dangerous if stored improperly. Kids may light them up if they are within reach, and leftover fireworks can also malfunction if left unused for a long time.