May the Fourth Be with You – Helpful Tips to Ensure a Safe Holiday

Murray Guari Trial Attorneys wishes you and your loved ones a Closeup Sparker with American Flagd. Celebrating 4th Of July Independence Daywonderful 4th of July!

The 4th of July brings much joy and celebration for our Country’s Independence. We are thankful and grateful for those who have served in our military, our veterans, and their families.

Fireworks are synonymous with the 4th of July, but they are also notorious for causing serious bodily injury. Please be sure to review these helpful tips so you can safely enjoy your holiday:

Firework Safety

TIP: Under Florida law, only sparklers, approved by the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, are legal for consumer usage. It is illegal to use exploding and/or flying fireworks in Florida, which include: shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, roman candles, rockets, and firecrackers.

In the event you participate in hazardous activities such as fireworks, the phrase “what goes up must come down” certainly rings true. From sparklers that burn at a temperature above 1,700 degrees to mortars that launch explosive ordinances and shatter fragments in all directions, it is imperative that you always remain cautious. (In 2018 alone, there were more than 9,000 firework-related injuries that sent people to the ER for extensive injuries.)

TIP: The National Safety Council recommends that the safest way to enjoy fireworks this 4th of July is to watch a controlled public fireworks display conducted by professionals.

Tips for Fireworks, if you are to use them:

  • Ensure that proper adult supervision is within the vicinity of where fireworks are being handled.
  • If you buy fireworks, purchase them from a professional retailer who handles them with proper care and expertise. (Many second-hand tent suppliers will often resort to improper handling and storage of fireworks which will often cause malfunctions and pre-detonation.)
  • Never try to make your own fireworks.
  • If you use fireworks, have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of an accident.
  • Steer clear of others setting off fireworks; they can backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.
  • Never throw or point fireworks at someone; it is not a joking matter.
  • Don’t hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. Wear eye protection, and don’t carry fireworks in your pocket — friction could set them off.
  • Aim all fireworks away from homes and keep them away from brush, leaves, and any flammable substances. (The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more 50,000 fires sparked by fireworks each year.)

Alcohol Safety

Murray Guari Trial Attorneys urges you to be safe during this holiday and always regarding alcohol consumption. Maintaining control of any alcohol intake will not only minimize risk with fireworks, but it may save a life and prevent you from getting a DUI or even worse hurting someone else, a loved one, or yourself. A .08 BAC level signifies that you are unfit to operate a motor vehicle.

Tips and facts on alcohol use

  • Never operate a car, motor vehicle, boat, jet ski, or other watercraft under the influence of alcohol.
  • If you are over the legal limit and on a bicycle, you can still be charged with DUI.
  • Every day in America, 28 people die because of drunk driving accidents.
  • Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash.
  • Drunk driving fatalities represent 25.2% of all total traffic deaths.
  • Have a plan in place, have a designated driver.
  • If you don’t have a designated driver, call a friend, family member, a taxi, an Uber, or a Lyft — remember risking people’s lives is never worth it.

Murray Guari Trial Attorneys is a boutique, West Palm Beach based law firm that represents individuals – not insurance companies – throughout the State of Florida who have been seriously injured due to the negligence of others.

To schedule a consultation or to learn more about Murray Guari Trial Attorneys, contact (561) 366-9099.

The information provided in this article is for general information purposes only.  Nothing in this article should be taken as strict legal advice for any individual case or situation nor should it be taken as supporting or suggesting any illegal activity.  Interaction with this article does not, in any way, constitute an attorney-client relationship.