Firework Safety Guide

It is that time of year: Fireworks galore all week long! 4th of July is a great time to be an American. Celebrating Independence Day with great food, beers, friends, family and the best part, the cherry on top, fireworks. Fireworks may be beautiful and capture the essence of the summer, but they can also be extremely dangerous. It is important to take the right precaution when igniting your own fireworks. Luckily for you, we gathered tips for you to stay safe while enjoying fireworks with your family and friends.

This is our firework safety guide provided by your local injury lawyer and fellow community member:

• Always have a sober adult handling the securing of and lighting of fireworks. The adult responsible for lighting the fireworks should be wearing safety goggles.
• Make sure you are purchasing legal fireworks. Illegal fireworks are illegal because of a multitude of reasons including: the manufacturer has not been approved, the manufacturer’s fireworks have failed safety tests or because the fireworks are unpredictable due to the manufacturing plants not having the correct protocols in place.
• Keep children away from all fireworks. Yes, even sparklers. The reality is lighting fireworks can be quite risky, and it is best to handle a situation if it is going south quickly without worrying about children around you.
• Never shoot fireworks from a glass container. The glass can shatter and create a much higher risk of injury.
• Spectators should be at a safe distance. Often times the labels of each firework will let you know what the ideal distance is. We recommend taking a few steps back beyond the recommended distance.
• Never aim or throw fireworks at another person, even as a joke. Fireworks tend to be unpredictable and yes, the other person could lose an eye, a hand or worse.
• Let your used fireworks sit for at least 20 minutes before properly discarding of the remnants. The proper method of discarding fireworks is by dousing the remnants in water, placing the remnants in a plastic bag and discarding in an outdoor trash can.
• Keep a fire extinguisher or bucket of water handy.
• If a firework does not ignite the first time, do not approach the firework again in an attempt to relight it.
• If a firework seems unstable or does not seem to be working right, dump a bucket of water on it prior to the firework igniting.

We hope you have a safe Independence Day filled with laughter, fun and great memories. Just remember: the last thing you want is to mishandle fireworks and as a result, lose a finger, an arm or an eye. Those 30 seconds of fireworks are never worth the risk.

If You Have Been Involved in a Fireworks Related Accident, Talk to an Injury Attorney Regarding Your Options

Being injured by fireworks can be a terrifying and often times life-altering experience. The long- term effects can take an emotional toll as well as a physical and financial one.

Parrish Law Firm, PLLC helps harmed victims recover damages for their injuries. We provide a free consultation. To schedule yours today, call 571-229-1800.