The summer season is a time when we all get to enjoy outdoor picnics, parades, barbecues, friends, family members and even firework displays. It’s also a time when we see an increase in the risks for firework injuries in New York and elsewhere. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there were about 9,200 people who made a stop in an emergency room in 2006 because of a firework-related injury. About 70 percent of these injuries happened around the Fourth of July holiday period. Officials with the NSC report that nearly 40 percent of these accidents occurred to individuals who were under the age of 15-year-old. We’re asking all residents and visitors to be safe during this year’s Fourth of July holiday to avoid one of these devastating injuries.
Our Long Island personal injury attorneys would first like to wish you and your family a safe and happy Fourth of July.
Having a safe holiday cannot be done without taking the proper safety precautions. Every year, firework-related injuries cost more than $20 million in property damage in addition to the millions in medical costs. It’s important to be responsible when dealing with pyrotechnics and to look out for your loved ones along the way to make sure that no one is injured. Your best bet is to leave the firework displays to the professionals, but if you want to put on your own firework display we’re asking you to following a few simple safety tips to make your display as safe as possible.
Firework Safety Tips from the NSC:
-You should always keep a water source close by. Your best bet is to keep a hose or a bucket filled with water nearby to help to put out any fires, sparks or faulty fireworks.
-If a firework doesn’t work the first time, don’t attempt to use it a second time. If you get a dud, your best bet is to toss it in a bucket of water for about 20 minutes and then toss it out.
-Never light a firework from a container, whether it’s glass or metal.
-Keep your cool when lighting fireworks. Never allow any horseplay or running when fireworks are being used.
-Only light one firework at a time.
-Never combine or alter fireworks.
-Light fireworks outdoors only.
-Once a firework is lit, step away and keep a safe distance.
-You should only allow older children to use fireworks under the supervision of an adult.
-Never allow young children to handle fireworks under any circumstances, not even sparklers.
We’re wishing everyone a Happy Fourth of July, but we’re also asking that you keep safety as a number one priority! Follow these safety tips and share them with your loved ones to help to avoid a potential accident.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a firework-related accident in New York, contact personal injury attorney Nicholas Rose to schedule a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 1-877-313-ROSE (7673).
More Blog Entries:
New York City Injury Attorneys Wish You a Safe Fourth of July, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, July 3, 2011
