The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released its annual report last month highlighting the serious injuries and deaths involving fireworks that took place in 2012, and the agency expects fireworks-related problems to spike during the weeks surrounding the upcoming 4th of July holiday. The CPSC compiles the yearly report to warn consumers about the dangers of fireworks, to help enforce safety precautions and to raise awareness about the serious risk of problems that can occur when consumers fail to adhere to fireworks safety warnings. If you have suffered injuries in a fireworks-related accident or another type of accident in Tennessee that you believe was caused by another person’s negligence, contact our qualified attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates to discuss your legal options.
According to the CPSC, nearly 9,000 people were injured or killed by fireworks last year, and this year, the number of fireworks-related injuries and fatalities are expected to increase dramatically leading up to the 4th of July from the rest of the year, as nearly 60% of all incidents in 2012 occurred during the 30 days surrounding the holiday, from June 22 through July 22. During that 30-day period, more than 5,000 people were treated in emergency rooms throughout the country, with more than half of the reported injuries involving burns to the head, face and hands. Even more alarming, roughly 1,000 of the injuries involved sparklers, which are commonly perceived as safe for children, even though they burn at a temperature of 2,000 degrees.
“These figures represent more than numbers; they represent the lives of real people who have been affected well beyond the Fourth of July,” said chairman of the CPSC, Inez Tenenbaum. “The federal government is working hard to keep the public safe by monitoring the ports, the marketplace and the transportation of fireworks. Now, we need consumers to do their part and celebrate safely.” In 2012, at least six people were killed by homemade, professional-grade or banned fireworks, and one young boy lost his life after a “sparkler bomb” made up of about 300 sparklers taped together exploded. In light of these tragic incidents, the CPSC is warning consumers that the majority of fireworks-related injuries and fatalities occur when fireworks malfunction or are used improperly.
To reduce the risk of injury or death resulting from a fireworks incident this year, the CPSC is reminding consumers to never let children light fireworks, to have an adult supervise at all times, to keep water nearby and to never point or throw fireworks at another person. If you have been injured in Tennessee because of malfunctioning fireworks or because another person used the fireworks improperly, contact our lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates today, as you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering. With the help of our knowledgeable attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates, you can protect your legal rights and pursue the reimbursement you and your family deserve.
Source: http://www.cpsc.gov//Global/Research-and-Statistics/Injury-Statistics/Fuel-Lighters-and-Fireworks/Fireworks_Report_2012.pdf