Fireworks pose a problem every July 4th. St. Paul police Sgt. Paul Schnell has reported that his department is inundated with fireworks emergency calls every year for this holiday.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety holds a demonstration each year, with creative exhibits, to stress the possible negative consequences of mishandling fireworks. This year they dressed a toddler-sized mannequin in a festive outfit, had the mannequin standing over what appeared to be a dud firecracker. Needless to say, the firecracker exploded in the mannequins face, engulfing it in flames.
The demonstration should be a deterrent — it is not. Personal injuries increase every year, especially since 2002 when a new law went into effect legalizing the sale and use of some fireworks in Minnesota. Dr. Douglas Brunette, HCMC medical director, was quoted in the Minneapolis Star Tribune article by Alex Ebert as saying, “On a personal level, it’s very difficult to take care of these patients. Many of them are young children. [The injuries] can result in permanent disabilities and permanent disfigurement.”
Minneapolis Personal Injury Attorney Offers Safety Tips
If you have to do personal fireworks, follow these safety precautions — they won’t guarantee a safe 4th of July, but hopefully a safer one:
- light one item at a time
- don’t ever re-light a dud
- keep a water source close at hand to extinguish any stray sparks
- do not light fireworks near dry grass, etc
- use only Minnesota legal fireworks (by law nothing that flies in the air or explodes)
- wear shoes
- do not wear hats (fire hazard)
- pull long hair back (fire hazard)
The safer choice is to go to a public display. Here are two sites that list local schedules.
- ww2.startribune.com/projects/maps/calendar/summer_fun.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyUhttp://ww2.startribune.com/projects/maps/calendar/summer_fun.html?elr=KArksUUUycaEacyU
- wcco.com/miscellaneous/fireworks.displays.view.2.373318.html
Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyer and Product Liability Lawyer
If you are injured in a fireworks accident, contact an experienced Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyer to discuss your case. Terry, Slane & Ruohonen attorneys are aggressive, ethical litigators and achieve excellent results. Partner Rich Ruohonen recently recovered a $3,750,000 settlement for the victim of a recreational vehicle accident. They handle personal injury claims and product liability cases. Call 612-362-0000 for a free consultation.
