4th of July Safety Tips to Keep Your Family Safe
Many people look forward all year to watching fireworks on fourth of July. In addition to baseball and apple pie, few things are as distinctively American as fireworks on the Fourth of July. As you plan your festivities, we encourage you to review our recommended 4th of July safety tips, as fireworks are also extremely dangerous. According to recent report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), reveal that at least 11 individuals lost their lives in 2022 and deaths were associated with mortar-style devices. Five of the deaths, ranging in age from 11 to 43, lost their lives in incidents associated with the misuse of fireworks. Approximately 10,200 people were injured due to fireworks incidents last year.
While most people are aware that fireworks can cause injuries, fireworks often prove dangerous in ways that people fail to consider. Surprisingly, many firework victims were not present at the spot where the fireworks were lit. To avoid becoming one of the countless people harmed by fireworks this Fourth of July, this article reviews some helpful steps that you should remember to follow.
Never Relight Fireworks
If a firework fails to light properly the first time, you should not attempt to relight it. Often when a person relights a defective firework, they get burned. If you try to light a firework once and it does not work properly, you should properly dispose of the firework. Properly disposing of a firework means soaking it in a bucket of water overnight and then placing the firework into a plastic bag before throwing it away.
Only Light One Firework at a Time
Ignore the temptation to create an over-the-top display, and only light one firework at a time. Trying to use multiple fireworks at the same time makes it challenging to keep track of the order in which fireworks will explode and greatly increases a person’s odds of making a mistake and becoming injured.
Skip Personal Shows, Only Go to Professional Events
One of the best ways to drastically reduce your chances of being injured in a firework accident is to skip private shows and only attend professional fireworks shows. Not only do professional shows often have better fireworks, they are also put together by knowledgeable technicians who are specially trained in safely handling and disposing of fireworks. By attending private events, your chance of ending up in a firework accident reduces dramatically.
Stay Away From Alcohol and Drugs
A large number of firework injuries and deaths involve people who play with fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These substances can impair a person’s ability to safely use fireworks and as a result, greatly increase the chances that a person will get injured while playing with fireworks. One of the best things that you can do to avoid ending up in an accident is to never combine playing with fireworks with the use of alcohol or drugs.
Speak With a Compassionate Accident Attorney in Long Island
It is easy to end up confused and uncertain about how to proceed after a firework accident, and it’s important to remember to keep your pets safe this July 4th as well. If you or a loved one has been injured in a firework accident, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced Long Island personal injury lawyer. Contact the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP today to schedule a free case evaluation.
