Safe Fireworks Disposal Begins On July 5th
Seattle, Washington (PRWEB) July 07, 2014 -- With the Fourth of July receding to the past, citizens might think that they can put safety behind them. But the many people who still have highly flammable fireworks in their possession can’t let their attention lag for even a moment.
The Bernard Law Group, comprised of Seattle personal injury lawyers with expertise in a number of different practice areas, readily recognizes the danger posed by unused fireworks, especially those left to stew for nearly a year. That’s why Kirk Bernard, an attorney with three decades of experience helping Washington citizens overcome their financial burden in the wake of an injury, has charged his team with compiling tips on safe fireworks disposal.
“Numerous injuries take place on Independence Day,” said Mr. Bernard, “but contrary to popular belief, the risk posed by unsafe fireworks doesn’t end at the stroke of midnight on the Fourth. All those households that have a surplus of fireworks face danger throughout the summer as the temperature heats up. To avoid a serious injury or a fire, you need to get rid of fireworks in the safest manner possible, and we’ll show you how to do that.”
If fireworks are still in your possession, now is the time to take the following tips to heart:
1. Don’t Take Lighting Lightly- Fireworks, which become legal in many areas in the leadup to the Fourth of July holiday, become illegal on July 5th or shortly thereafter, depending on exact regulations that may vary from area to area. Persons should refrain from lighting additional fireworks during this time.
2. You’re Kidding Yourself- Persons who have kids of a certain age have to make sure that their children aren’t going to have any bright ideas about lighting fireworks after Independence Day has drawn to a close. Speak with children about not lighting off any leftovers, and to make sure they don’t ignore this sage advice, keep the fireworks someplace they can’t easily access.
3. No Grousing About Dousing- Although some within the family may protest, take a hose to not just the remnants of lit fireworks but to those fireworks that have yet to be lit. In this way, the chances of an accidental fire being started are minimized.
4. Light Trash- The trash is not the appropriate place to keep unlit fireworks, especially if that trash is kept near gasoline, cars, or anything that could conceivably produce a flame. Even waterlogged fireworks still pose a fire hazard.
5. Safety In Store- Some people may not get around to disposing of fireworks right away, but that doesn’t mean the fireworks can just be placed within a storage shed or garage. Instead, place the fireworks someplace cool where they won’t get too hot for comfort.
6. The Final Authority- Since kicking unlit fireworks to the curb to be picked up by a garbage collection service isn’t appropriate, contact local authorities to find out what kind of safe pickup programs have been created in the area. A safety officer should be able to inform anyone interested as to the proper ways to dispose of unlit fireworks. This will typically consist of a dropoff with the local fire or police department.
7. Where There’s Smoke- If an individual hears or sees fireworks being lit after the Fourth of July has come and gone, or worse, if a heavy amount of smoke is clouding the skies, alert the authorities. A simple phone call can prevent a serious fire from breaking out.
8. Nature Isn’t Calling- Because the cities may be patrolled by officers who are on the lookout for illegal fireworks usage, some people may be tempted to head to a national park or some other out-of-the-way venue to set off unlit fireworks. DO NOT do this, as circumstances could be ripe for a devastating wildfire to break out.
“These tips are pretty straight-forward,” said Mr. Bernard. “And by following them, a person can protect themselves, their family, and really their entire neighborhood from a nasty fire and any subsequent injuries.”
Kirk Bernard has been protecting the rights of Washington personal injury victims for 30 years, achieving landmark court victories and settlements in the process. The Bernard Law Group provides legal representation for those injured in car crashes, bicycle collisions, workplace accidents, medical malpractice situations, defective drug incidents, premises liability cases, and more. Persons interested in a free consultation for their Seattle personal injury lawsuit are invited to visit the Bernard Law Group’s website.
Megan Castello, The Bernard Law Group, http://4injured.com, +1 (206) 298-9900, [email protected]
Share this article