According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 8,600 people visited hospital emergency rooms in the year 2010 for fireworks-related injuries. Fireworks, both legal and illegal, have the potential to cause serious burn injuries to adults and children. Young adults under the age of 20 accounted for more than half of all fireworks-related accidents. This is why children must be supervised whenever they are around fireworks. Even sparklers, which are normally considered to be harmless, can be dangerous and can cause serious burns.
CPSC offers a number of other helpful safety tips for the upcoming July 4 weekend when many of us get together with family and friends to celebrate our nation’s Independence Day. Anyone using sparklers should know that they are hot enough to ignite clothes. Children should not be allowed to run with or around fireworks. Fireworks should only be used in clean and clear places away from homes and dry leaves. Only the person lighting the fireworks should be near them. There should be bucket of water close by just in case something catches on fire. Used fireworks should be doused in a bucket of water and appropriately disposed.
In fact, while most states allow some type of fireworks and others allow sparklers and novelties, Arizona is the only state that only allows novelty fireworks. This means that setting off fireworks and sparklers is illegal in Arizona. If you have been injured by fireworks, especially if it occurred as a result of someone else’s negligence, you have legal rights.
The experienced personal injury attorneys at The Breyer Law Offices P.C. have an excellent track record of helping injured victims and their families. If you or a loved one is injured and would like to explore legal options available, please contact our offices to schedule a free consultation.