Avera Law Firm

The Avera Law Firm Blog is designed to update clients, vendors, and other interested persons regarding law firm news, personnel, legal issues, and legislative issues. The firm management welcomes posts and questions to the blog as an interactive means to provide information to the public.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Dont Mix Kids & Fireworks this July 4th

Every year, hundreds of chidlren across the country are seriously injured in accidents involving fireworks. Fireworks are dangerous and if your kids use them, they are at risk of suffering a life changing injury.

Take my friend, Max. Max was 13 when he attended a July 4th picnic at a friend's house with his parents' knowledge. What they didnt know was that the adults at this gathering would be providing illegal fireworks to the kids for the kids to ignite. These fireworks included "mortars"; illegal fireworks that ignite into the sky. When Max lit one of these, it tipped over. Fearing it would go off and strike people around him, Max attempted to stomp it out. It went off and struck him in the eye. Max has had at least 10 surgeries so far. He has lost his vision in that eye. It is still up in the air whether he will ultimately lose the eye completely and wear a prosthesis. You would be right to read between the lines here and understand that this has changed Max's life forever and caused his parents incredible angst at watching Max suffer.

11 people died in 2007 from accidents involving fireworks. More startling statistics and video clips of illegal fireworks can be found at www.cpsc.gov.

In Florida, fireworks are illegal. A loophole allows for purchase of otherwise illegal fireworks. The loophole involves signing a form that sets forth that the purchaser will be using the fireworks for agricultural purposes. Sparklers and other benign devices are not defined as "fireworks" in Florida. If it explodes or goes into the sky, it is illegal. And it is dangerous.

Please don't allow your child to be a statistic this holdiay. Fireworks should only be viewed from a safe distance and at a professional and authorized display. All of us at Avera & Smith wish you and your family a safe and happy 4th of July.

posted by Mark Avera at 7/02/2008 05:17:00 AM

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