Avoid Firework Injuries in Staten Island This 4th of July

Many people, although illegal, purchase or somehow obtain fireworks and set them off in Staten Island and throughout New York City on the 4th of July.  One thing to keep in mind this year is that not only are fireworks illegal but they are also extremely dangerous. 

According to firework injuries and firework accidents from previous years the two fireworks that account for most injuries are simple fireworks and sparklers. Next on the list are bottle rockets and professional fireworks. These four forms of fireworks accout for most injuries from fireworks and all can cause severe injuries or even death. 

You should try to keep your kids, teens and any fellow adults you know away from playing with fireworks this 4th of July but there is always the possibility that a firework accident may occur in which case we want you to be prepared to know what to do if you have been injured by a firework.  First aid steps for firework injuries vary depending on what part the body was injured:

• Eye injuries from fireworks - Any impaled object in the eye should be left alone and a call to 911 should be made.  Avoid removing the object from the eye and also avoid putting anything in your eye such as eye wash, eye drops or eye ointment.  Once the paramedics come they will be able to deal with your specific eye injury from the fireworks.
  
• Burn injuries from fireworks - Any type of firework poses the threat for severe burns to anyone it comes into contact with but the most overlooked burn danger is often sparklers which were at one time considered to be a "safe" and "child-friendly" firework.  Sparklers are anything but safe and child-friendly. In fact, sparklers get to above 1,000 degrees fahrenheit and therefore can cause serious burns. If you or someone you know gets burned by a sparkler or a firework it is best to make sure you cool off the burn with cold water and then wrap the burned area of skin with a dry, clean sheet until an ambulance or other medical professional arrives on the scene of the accident.
  
• Loss of limb or amputation from fireworks - If a firework causes a limb to be blown off or a body part to be severed it is very important to do a few things. The first thing that should be done if anyone if ever has a severe laceration or a severed body part is to call 911. While waiting for 911 to arrive if possible have someone search around to see if they can locate the severed body part.  If found the body part should be wrapped in dry, sterile gauze and placed in a plastic bag.  The plastic bag should then be placed indirectly on ice (never place the body part directly on ice as you do not want to freeze the body part). Finding the body part and taking good care of it until medical professionals arrive may allow the injured person the opportunity to have the body part re-attached.  While waiting for the medical professionals to arrive dry, clean or sterile gauze should be applied to the injury to try to minimize the bleeding.
  

Fireworks are not toys and are dangerous. The use of fireworks is not only illegal but is negligence on behalf of the person who is purchasing them and lighting them.

If you, your child or a loved one becomes injured by a firework, sparkler or firecracker due to negligence it is important to speak with an experienced firework injury lawyer in Staten Island. To speak with Frank J. Dito Jr. call 800.976.4904 or email us for more information on firework lawsuits and related information.  Also, if you would like a case evaluation we offer free evaluations. Call today to find out what your case is worth.