Fireworks are synonymous with the Fourth of July. The spectacular displays of pyrotechnics thrill crowds all over the country annually, allowing communities to compete to put on the best and most extravagant displays. In many states, consumer fireworks are also legally available for home use, however these legal fireworks cause many injuries, most of them to children under the age of 15. Two-thirds of all fireworks injuries in the United States will happen between June 16 and July 16. If you are planning to celebrate this Fourth of July with your own fireworks, be sure to take the proper precautions and follow these tips.
It is best to be mindful of your state’s rules and regulations regarding fireworks and to follow them carefully. A responsible adult should be supervising the use of fireworks always. Before igniting anything, read all instructions and purchase fireworks from authorized dealers to avoid illegal merchandise. Illegal fireworks are often homemade by people who know very little about pyrotechnics and are filled with unknown materials that do not meet safety standards. Therefore, they often combust unexpectedly and are to be strictly avoided. Illegal fireworks look like a roll of coins between one and six inches with a fuse attached. They can be red or silver with brown paper wrapping and are sold on the street or out of a vehicle.
Fireworks should be used outdoors in a large, open, and flat area. Uneven ground can lead to fireworks tipping over on ignition and taking off into bystanders. In the case of rockets that were meant to launch vertically, if the surface is not flat, the uneven trajectory can send the rocket into houses, trees, or crowds, causing injury or property damage.
When using fireworks, it is best to follow these instructions:
- Have water in buckets nearby, as well as a hose attached to a working water source.
- Do not use metal or glass containers to launch fireworks.
- Wear safety glasses and light fireworks one at a time, moving quickly away after ignition.
- Do not point fireworks at people and keep sparklers away from your face, hair and loose clothing. Children should not hold sparklers.
- Keep pets away from where you are using fireworks and if possible take them somewhere away from the noise.
- Used fireworks should be soaked in a bucket of water and disposed in a metal trash bin that contains no combustible materials. Fireworks that failed to ignite should also be soaked in water for 20 minutes before disposing of them in the same way.
- Never ever combine alcohol and drug use with fireworks as this is a fatal mistake.
Delaware County Personal Injury Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Represent Victims Injured in Fireworks Accidents
If you or someone you love suffered a firework injury due to the negligence of others, you may be eligible for compensation. The Delaware County personal injury lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. have experience in personal injury cases and our experienced attorneys can provide you with aggressive and comprehensive representation. Call 610-565-3701 today to schedule a free consultation or contact us online. We have offices in Media and Westchester, Pennsylvania to serve you.