The Fourth of July is a wonderful day to come together with family and friends. It’s filled with parades, hot dogs, patriotism, and fireworks. It’s that last part I want to talk to you about today, as a Memphis personal injury attorney, because with fireworks comes the risk of injury.

Last year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were involved in roughly 9,100 injuries that sent victims to the emergency room. 62% of them — about 5,600 — happened in the one-month period between June 22 and July 22, a time when the use of fireworks spikes due to the upcoming holiday. Almost half of the injuries were burns, which isn’t too surprising considering that fireworks can get up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.

Key Statistics About Fireworks Safety

  • In the month leading up to the Fourth of July, an average of 230 people were admitted to the emergency room for related injuries each day.
  • 34% of those injured were between the ages of 25–44.
  • 74% of those injured were male.
  • About 50% of the injuries were burns.

Safety Tips

It seems that year after year, people have to learn about the hazards of fireworks the hard way. There’s no need to have a backyard tragedy. Please read my tips below to keep you and your loved ones safe on Thursday.

  • Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby.
  • Never let children pick up fireworks, and adults should supervise all activity.
  • Do not throw fireworks in the air.

Sparklers, which can get extremely hot, require extra precautions. Consider these key safety tips.

  • Children should never play with sparklers. In fact, I highly recommend that you don’t hold a child while using them.
  • Light one at a time.
  • Do not hand a lit sparkler to another person.
  • Hold at arm’s length.
  • Wear closed-toe shoes.

But really, think twice about whether or not you need to play with fireworks at all. The best way to stay safe is to avoid using them at home, and across the country there are wonderful public displays. This list is full of wonderful ideas for celebrating the Fourth of July and watching some fireworks right here in Memphis.

Talk to a Memphis Personal Injury Attorney

If you think you were injured from fireworks and think you have a personal injury case, you can speak to an experienced Memphis personal injury attorney at Darrell Castle & Associates, at no cost, by calling (901) 327-1212, or contact us online.