With 4th of July weekend fast approaching, people across the United States are starting to plan their celebration for America's birthday. The weekend will surely be filled with barbecues, swimming, and parades. It is also expected that fireworks will light up the sky all weekend long, and it is important that everyone stays safe while enjoying the show.
It is estimated by Statistic Brain that the firework industry takes in over $1 Billion in revenue every year, and a large portion of that revenue comes in during 4th of July celebrations. Unfortunately, the explosions in the sky can come at a human cost. There are nearly 10,000 injuries every year caused by fireworks, 40% of which are caused by illegal firework usage. Fireworks also cause a lot of property damage, including 20,000 fires every year.
Heading into its fifth year, the Michigan Consumer-Grade Fireworks law is still controversial with residents. After 2015's Independence Day festivities, over 20,000 residents signed an online petition which was seeking an appeal of the law. "Either people say they have no problem at all or people are just outraged and irate over the amount of fireworks in their neighborhood. There doesn't seem to really be any middle ground there," Democratic Congressman Henry Yanez, a Democratic from Sterling Heights, told MLive.
AVOIDING FIREWORK INJURY ACCIDENTS
Below are several firework safety tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
- Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
- Keep a bucket of water or a garden house handy in case of fire or other mishap.
- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.
- Light fireworks one at a time then move back quickly.
- Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass container.
- Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
It is also important to factor in the near-drought that has taken place in Metro Detroit, as many lawns and fields have not seen enough rain over the past few weeks. Conditions have become so dry that the Michigan Fire Marshall is considering enforcing a statewide ban on fireworks this weekend. According to the Detroit News, the ban would also include burning objects such as bonfires. A spokesperson for the Fire Marshall has told MLive that "discussions continue among state officials, but no action has been taken on either the potential fireworks ban or the potential burning ban." People who choose to light off fireworks should be aware of the ground conditions around where the fireworks will be lit.
4th of July weekend is one of the deadliest holidays for auto accidents in the United States. Whether you are driving home from your cottage or driving down to the beach, you should be extra cautious of extra drivers and NEVER drive while under the influence. If you or somebody you know is injured in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver this holiday weekend, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Whether the injuries sustained from the accident are minor or severe, our attorneys will work alongside you to get you the proper help you need. They will not rest until your case is settled. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.