Fireworks have come to be a well recognized symbol of summer. With Fourth of July prominently featuring fireworks, you know that summer is in full swing when you see things like sparklers at your independence day backyard barbecue. Unfortunately, while fireworks are undeniably beautiful, they are also very dangerous. So dangerous, in fact, that New Jersey has a ban in place preventing the legal purchase of most kinds of fireworks. Just before the Fourth of July in the summer of 2017, then-governor Chris Christie made the use of certain types of fireworks legal. The legalized types included things like hand-held sparklers, party poppers, and snappers. The person purchasing these kinds of fireworks must be at least 16 years old.
While the majority of fireworks are still illegal throughout New Jersey, they still find their way into the state as people purchase them elsewhere and bring them in. The fact that fireworks are inherently dangerous combined with the fact that they are often unpredictable and handled by unqualified individuals, means that those using fireworks and bystanders are all too frequently injured by them
What Kind of Injuries Are Caused by Fireworks?
As explosive devices, the most common firework injuries are burns and blisters. They usually happen to hands that are holding or setting off the firework, but burns and blisters may be sustained on any part of the body that comes into contact with part of the firework. Additionally, a firework may leave splinters in your hands when it explodes.
When a firework is fired off, it explodes into hundreds of dangerous pieces. These firework particles can burn your hands, fingers, and other areas of the body. It is particularly alarming to consider what can happen when a piece gets into someone’s eye. The eye can be burned or pierced. The worst case scenario is that this results in total loss of vision.
Firework injuries can be devastating. Burns to the bodies my result in the need to amputated extremities. There is also possible hearing loss to consider. In extreme cases, firework injuries have proved fatal. In fact, on June 2nd of this year, a 23-year-old man was killed in a New Jersey fireworks accident. Upon examination, the man was found with burned fingers and internal trauma.
How to Avoid Serious Firework Injuries
While accidents do happen, the risk of sustaining a serious firework injury can be significantly reduced when you take the proper precautions. The first of which is to keep fireworks away from children. Make sure everyone, children especially, remain the recommended 500 feet away from the set-off point of the firework. While kids may love sparklers, it is a good idea to keep these away as well. They reach very high temperatures and have been known to explode in people’s hands.
Also always be sure to set fireworks off in a clear, outdoor area. This will reduce the risk of firework sparks landing in trees or on rooftops. Keep a fire extinguisher at the ready when using fireworks and be sure to report any unsafe use of fireworks. This includes reporting use of illegal fireworks to authorities.
New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney
While fireworks are, for the most part, illegal in New Jersey, they still find a way into the state. If you have been injured by an improperly used firework, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries through bringing a personal injury claim. Contact The Cassidy Law Firm today to discuss potential legal recourse for your injuries.