SANGER — Aaron Thomas is stocking up for what may be an explosive holiday.

The employee of a shack-like fireworks store located near the Sanger city limits is making sure items such as the Texas Sky Rocket and the Fire Explorative — which he says are likely to sell out — are ready for blastoff this Fourth of July weekend.

DRC/Candace Carlisle

Aaron Thomas, an employee at Alamo Discount Fireworks, stocks up for the business’s two busiest days of the year at the stand just outside of Sanger on Thursday.

View larger More photos Photo store

The store, one of about five in Denton County, already has experienced a 10 to 20 percent increase in sales from last year, despite the global economic downturn, said Blake Veit, store manager of Alamo Discount Fireworks.

And that doesn’t include today and Saturday — when about 80 percent of Independence Day fireworks business usually takes place.

“We are looking forward to, hopefully, record sales,” Veit said. “The Sanger location is a good location where more people live out in the country and they can buy them, bring them home and pop them in their backyard.”

The store’s location is the first one on Interstate 35 for travelers heading north from Dallas, Veit said, so customers driving to Oklahoma and Kansas can go ahead and stock up.

With July Fourth falling on a Saturday — right after many customers have been paid — and the absence of burn bans in the county, people are more likely to mark the holiday with fireworks, he said.

Fireworks stores across Texas and the nation have high sales expectations for this week.

An estimated 144 million consumers across the nation plan to show their patriotism by making big plans for the holiday. That’s up nearly 4 percent from last year, according to a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation.

More people also will attend local fireworks displays, parades and community celebration events as rising gasoline prices keep people close to home, the survey stated.

And it’s not just gas prices. The overall economy will keep the Fourth of July a family event this year, said Joe Daughtry, president of the Texas Fireworks Association.

“Fireworks have gotten to the point where the busiest days are the last couple of days,” he said. “But I haven’t talked to anyone [fireworks stores in Texas] who hasn’t done as well or better than in the past.”

In past years, burn bans have put a damper on Fourth of July celebrations. Since Denton County isn’t under a burn ban now, fireworks sales should get a boost, Daughtry said.

The county hasn’t experienced drought conditions like other parts of Texas, and officials don’t anticipate any Fourth of July problems as long as people are mindful of the law, said Roland Asebedo, assistant fire marshal with the Denton County Department of Emergency Services.

“It is Independence Day, but we don’t want to infringe on others’ rights or their property,” Asebedo said.

People shooting off fireworks should be prepared for small fires by having a water supply or fire extinguisher nearby, he said, and make sure they have permission from landowners before lighting fireworks.

“It is the perfect opportunity for a great celebration of a great holiday,” Asebedo said. “Unfortunately, some folks will take the opportunity to overindulge in sun and alcohol, and when you combine that with fireworks, it can create problems and hazards.”

But, so far, the holiday is off to a good start with no fireworks violations reported at any of the inspected fireworks stores in the county, he said.

As Thomas prepared the roadside store, which opened this week, for the onslaught of customers, he said the stand plans to sell up until midnight Saturday.

“We’re not feeling the brunt of the economy like everyone else,” Thomas said. “Everyone wants to celebrate their independence.”

CANDACE CARLISLE can be reached at 940-566-6889. Her e-mail address is ccarlisle@dentonrc.com .