Pasco County Injury Attorneys :: Stay Safe on the Fourth

The Fourth of July is next week and that means firework displays and cookouts will be on the rise. Our Pasco County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton want everyone to know that these activities can cause extreme injuries to children and adults when safety measures are not taken into consideration.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, an average of 230 people will go to emergency rooms every single day due to firework-related injuries in the month surrounding the Fourth of July holiday. Fireworks are nothing to mess around with as they can cause serious burn injuries. In fact, a sparkler, which many consider safe for children to hold, can reach temperatures close to 2,000 degrees. It is important to always supervise children around fireworks. Other common fireworks-related injuries include loss of hearing and eyesight, shock, smoke inhalation and loss of fingers.

If you plan on celebrating this Fourth of July with fireworks, we urge you to keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Do not allow children to play with fireworks. We encourage you to not let your child to play with a sparkler, but if you do, please constantly supervise them and never let them light the sparkler themselves.
• All body parts should be kept away from fireworks.
• If you choose to light fireworks, please only light one at a time.
• Keep a bucket of water or hose nearby in case a fire erupts.
• All used fireworks must be doused with water before throwing them in the trash.
• Please note the legalities surrounding Florida and fireworks, and take that into consideration before buying. Under Florida law, only sparklers, approved by the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, are legal for consumer usage. It is illegal to use exploding and/or flying fireworks in Florida, which include: shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman candles, rockets and firecrackers.

On a similar note, if you are going to be grilling, follow these tips as many people are injured by gas and charcoal grills:

• Always supervise the grill and the surrounding area.
• Do not grill in an enclosed area.
• Keep the grill in an open area away from your house, deck, trees or anything flammable.
• Use long-handed tools when cooking so you can avoid serious burn injuries.
• Always follow the grill’s manufacturer’s directions.

If you find yourself injured this Fourth of July due to another person’s careless or negligent behavior, you may be entitled to compensation for any harm endured. Our Pasco County Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will be on hand 24/7 to provide you with a free consultation, should you need it this holiday period. Do not hesitate to contact us online or call us at 727-847-2299.