The Fourth of July, for most people, is one of the most fun days of the year. It typically seems like everyone is cheery, and nationwide barbecues are usually followed up with a fireworks display of some sort. While these festivals are generally fun for the whole family, there are certain things you should know in order to ensure that you, and your family, are safe this Fourth of July.
What do I have to know about fireworks safety before lighting them off?
First and foremost, there should always be an adult present. Without adult supervision, lighting fireworks can be a very dangerous activity. You should always keep your eyes open and make sure any children present are not acting in an unsafe manner. Additionally, if you are shopping for fireworks and see them packaged in brown paper, do not buy them. These are fireworks made for professional displays, and they may pose a serious safety risk to friends, family and neighbors. It is also important you keep a water source nearby, preferably a garden hose, or something of that nature. If there were ever a fire, you must be able to handle the situation quickly and efficiently. After setting fireworks off, you should douse them with water before throwing them in the garbage, even if they do not appear lit. Many of these fireworks are still hot for some time after combustion, so you must ensure they are cool before discarding them to avoid any potential fire risks. Lastly, do not carry fireworks in your pocket, and do not light them off in metal or glass jars. These are all known to cause unwanted safety hazards and injuries.
What are some safety tips for lighting fireworks?
Rather obviously, you should never point or throw fireworks at another person. While many see this as a harmless or funny prank, this is perhaps one of the most dangerous things you can do when lighting fireworks. Once the firework is lit, you must quickly back away to avoid misfires or anything of the sort. If you are hosting the Fourth of July, then it is your responsibility to ensure everybody else is a safe distance away as well. If you find yourself in a situation where one of your fireworks did not ignite or set off properly, do not try to pick it up and relight it. There are several documented horror stories regarding this action, and you do not want to be one of them. You should also never position any part of your body directly over a firework before lighting it off. This is extremely risky behavior. Lastly, you must of course make sure fireworks are legal in your area. If someone at your party is injured, then you will most likely get in even more legal trouble for using illegal fireworks.
Contact our firm
If you or someone you know is involved in a fireworks accident due to another party’s negligence, then we strongly recommend you contact one of our experienced attorneys today, as you may be entitled to compensation.
The attorneys at Timian & Fawcett, LLC provide effective legal services to clients in Prince George’s County, Washington, D.C. and all of Maryland. Our firm is dedicated to our clients. If you need our help, we are ready to serve. Contact Timian & Fawcett, LLC.
