Your safest bet for your Fourth of July’s firework celebrations is to grab your friends and your family members and head to a professional public display. There’s a lot less risk of you getting injured and the show will probably be quite a bit more entertaining.If you do decide to set of some fireworks at your home, you’re urged to do so with extreme caution. In the state of Indiana, fireworks can be purchased only by someone who is 18 or older. Once you have them, they can only be used on the user’s property or the property of someone who says it’s okay.
Our Highland personal injury lawyers understand that state law only allows fireworks to be used between 9:00 a.m. and midnight on the Fourth of July. The curfew for fireworks is 11:00 p.m. on all other nights. To get more specific, it’s a good idea to check with local officials to see when you can light off fireworks, as local ordinances may further restrict usage.
Now that you’ve got those rules covered, it’s time to talk about the risks. In 2011, there were close to 10,000 people who ended up in an emergency room because of a firework-related accident. Many of these injuries were burns. More than a quarter of them were to children who were under the age of 15. It’s now more important than ever that we focus on firework safety. So listen up.
Friends and family members are urged to read, review and share the following safety tips to help ensure that everyone enjoys a safe Fourth of July:
-Parents and caretakers should always closely supervise teens and young children if they are using fireworks.
-Remember that sparklers can heat up to close to 2,000 degrees. Keep a close eye on children while in use.
-Make sure that all fireworks are soaked in a bucket of water or under a hose after they’ve been used. They can remain quite hot even after use.
-Steer clear of others — fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. Never throw or point fireworks at someone, even in jest.
-Always have a designated shooter. Remember that alcohol and fireworks don’t mix.
-Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
-Always remain standing while using sparklers.
-Never relight a firework that didn’t work properly (or is a “dud”) simple discharge this item in or under water.
-Leave the lighting of professional-grade fireworks to trained pyrotechnicians.
-Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
-Remember to call your local 911 for emergencies.
-Always remember that fireworks have “fallout”- bits of cardboard and clay, so account for that when selecting a location that may be susceptible to winds.
-Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks.
Call Attorney Burton A. Padove if you or your child has been injured in an accident, at (219) 836 2200 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
Rising Highland Temps Increasing Risks for Child Heatstroke, Indianan Injury and Family Lawyer Blog, June 10, 2013
Highland School Accidents: National Bus Safety Week 2012!, Indianan Injury and Family Lawyer Blog, October 20, 2012