Did you know that July is not just the time to celebrate our nation’s birthday, but it is also recognized as National Fireworks Safety Month? This is a time when experts remind the general public about the risks of using incendiary and explosive devices.
In 2018 alone, U.S. fire departments responded to roughly 19,500 fires attributed to fireworks. According to the National Fire Protection Association, they resulted in five civilian deaths and 46 civilian injuries. They also caused more than $100 million in direct property damage.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission or CPSC also tracks injuries stemming from the use of consumer fireworks. It says the use of these items caused more than 9,000 injuries warranting trips to U.S. emergency rooms that year. The CPSC puts the daily average number of people seeking emergency medical care for fireworks injuries around the July 4th holiday at 180. Fireworks accidents usually result in injuries to the arms, hands and fingers. People may also experience injuries to their legs, eyes, faces and heads.
Parents can keep their kids safe at this time of year by using common sense and taking precautions with fireworks. For instance, always make sure a grownup supervises fireworks activities. Do not let young children play with or ignite fireworks. Make sure everyone handling the fireworks wears eye protection and follows the instructions provided. Do not let children under age 12 handle sparklers, which have maximum burn temperatures of approximately 2,000 degrees.
Another great way to avoid fireworks injuries is not to handle consumer fireworks at all. Instead, leave the fireworks to the professionals.
If you or someone you love has been hurt while using consumer fireworks, you may have legal recourse. Call our law firm to speak to one of our experienced attorneys on the team. We are your local law firm here to assist you.