Summer is in full gear, and July means that picnics, camping out, and other leisure activities combine with celebrations with fireworks. Fireworks are as American as the Fourth of July, and every year millions experience the excitement with exploding lights in the sky combined with thunderous sounds. While fireworks are fun, exciting, and enjoyable, they can too often be a source of pain, injury, and a ruined evening.
Firework Safety
Statistics
Forty-five percent of all fireworks injuries in July occur in children age 14 or less. (https://www.augustahealth.com/community-outreach/national-fireworks-safety-month-july#:~:text=During%20the%20month%20of%20July,and%20fireworks%20do%20not%20mix.) In 2017 there were eight deaths due to fireworks and over 12,000 injuries that required medical treatment. Many injuries from fireworks are due to amateurs using professional grade fireworks with inurious results. However, many injuries occur from safer forms like sparklers.
Children and Fireworks
Many of the injuries from fireworks occur among children, and often they are the result of children shooting off fireworks without proper, adult supervision. Beyond injuries is the fact that over 60,000 fires develop as a result of improper handling of fireworks. Young children should never handle fireworks, but just watch them at a distance and older children should handle them only under the supervision of an adult.
Basic Rules And Proper Handling Of Fireworks
In order to best enjoy fireworks it is important to know the state and local laws, as well as the proper handling, and discharge of fireworks as recommended by the manufacturer.
Some best safe practices are as follows:
- Obey all state laws- some states ban fireworks, some allow only certain kinds, and others have no restrictions. It is up to you to know your state laws
- Obey local laws
- Use fireworks only outside
- Follow all directions and guidelines on labels
- Purchase fireworks only from licensed dealers (to prevent illegal fireworks)
- Never hold fireworks in your hand after lighting them
- Discharge fireworks away from people, houses, and flammable materials
- Never point lighted fireworks at other people
- Never light fireworks in a container
- Soak used fireworks in water before putting in garbage
- Never use illegal fireworks (https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer/fireworks#:~:text=Leave%20Fireworks%20to%20the%20Experts&text=In%202017%2C%20eight%20people%20died,young%20adults%20under%20age%2020.)
Proper Storage
After purchasing fireworks you need to store them in a safe place until you are ready to use them. Make sure they are stored out of reach of children. Also, they need to be stored away from flammables, and it is important to avoid direct sunlight or temperature extremes. Do not store in a hot storage area like a garage. Extra fireworks should not be stored in a plastic bag or cardboard.
Alcohol And Fireworks
Many injuries result from adults using fireworks after drinking alcohol. Many serious injuries occur because alcohol dulls the senses and impairs the ability to properly discharge fireworks. Therefore, never use fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This will help to ensure a safe, fun celebration. Handling fireworks is dangerous enough without the addition of alcohol or drugs.
Some people like to celebrate extremely by shooting off their firearms with their fireworks. Again, firearms of any caliber, do not mix well with fireworks. The noise alone is deafening without worrying about a stray bullet or worse buckshot, and exploding fireworks ruining someone’s picnic.
Injury From Fireworks
Most injuries are due to some sort of neglect. Manufacturers have been held liable for injuries that result from defects in manufacturing. That is still difficult to prove. Sometimes the fireworks show, like the big one’s after a sporting event, or a municipality celebration, can be found negligent for injuries due to their neglect. However, the vast majority of fireworks injuries occur as a result from individual negligence.
Injuries can be avoided by following the above guidelines. By following all laws, rules, and guidelines you are placing yourself in a good position to avoid being blamed for someone else’s personal injury claim form fireworks injuries.
Know Your Options If You Are Injured From Fireworks
If you have been injured from someone else’s negligence in handling of fireworks then you may have a claim and you need to get proper counsel. Texas laws are very specific and determine where and who can discharge fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in the city limits of Dallas. They cannot be discharged within 600 feet of a church or within 100 feet of flammable materials.
If someone breaks any federal, state or local law they can face a severe fine as well as being responsible for any injuries. Make sure that you are not at fault for someone else injuries, but if you or someone you know is injured then call the professionals at Bennett Injury Lawyers. We have experience in personal injury and will be glad to assist you in handling your case. You should not have to pay for someone else’s negligence so Contact Us today.
