Fireworks, although they can be a lot of fun for celebrating the Fourth of July, can be unpredictable. Each year, people are seriously injured or even killed while using fireworks at home. Fireworks injuries in Miami and Florida can include eye injuries, burns, and other potentially serious and permanent injury.
Many people are already planning their Fourth of July festivities and June is Fireworks Safety Month, so this is a good time to review fireworks safety. To have a fun Fourth of July, be sure to follow these fireworks safety tips:
- Leave fireworks to the experts. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a fireworks event or presentation rather than trying to set off your own at home. You’ll get to enjoy not only a much larger display, but you’ll be far enough away to avoid sparks.
- If you do decide to have fireworks at home, store them carefully. One of the biggest dangers if you have fireworks at home is that children may gain access to them and set them off themselves,. Always store fireworks in a dry, cool location under lock and key and well away from children.
- Buy new fireworks from a trusted source. Rather than keeping fireworks for years so that they become unstable, it is always best to buy only as many fireworks as you will set off and to buy them from a retailer you trust. Be careful if you are buying fireworks online or from temporary retailers. You may have less information about where the products come from and their safety record.
- Always follow directions. Read the directions for the fireworks and be sure to follow them carefully. They are there to protect you.
- Don’t wear drawstrings or loose clothing when lighting fireworks. These can easily catch fire or can get caught up on the fireworks, causing potentially serious injury.
- Keep flammables away. If you do set up your own fireworks display, make sure that you do so in an open area, well away from wooden decks and any flammable materials. Never set off fireworks indoors or near places where you store flammable liquids such as gasoline or propane.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy.
- Stay well clear of fireworks. Move well away from fireworks after you have lit them to prevent eye injuries and burns. If a firework product does not go off as expected, avoid getting closer to it or leaning over it to check. Sometimes, there is a slight delay in detonation and getting too close can result in serious injury.
- Remember that fireworks and alcohol don’t mix. Stay sober when setting off your fireworks. It reduces the chances that you will move too slowly to avoid getting hit.
Have you been injured by defective fireworks? Have you been injured at a fireworks presentation? Contact Flaxman Law Group for a free, no obligation case review to discuss your situation. Under Florida law, you may qualify for a personal injury claim that allows you to seek compensation for your injuries. Our law firm can tell you more and can help you understand whether you have a claim.