(AP) - The countdown to the Fourth of July includes a lot of backyard patriots stocking up on their favorite fireworks. And this year's offerings promise to be flashier, louder and more creative than ever.

Harry Chang of Black Cat Fireworks says it's all thanks to an increase in the legal limit on the amount of pyrotechnics being loaded into the consumer fireworks.

Not everyone is greeting these new offerings with open arms.

The National Fire Protection Association advocates a total ban on consumer fireworks. Spokeswoman Lorraine Carlie says her organization considers fireworks to be too risky for the general public's use.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)