Were Your Children Injured by Defective Fireworks?

The Fourth of July is just around the corner, and adults and children alike are looking forward to all the fireworks. Whether you’re planning on venturing out to a display, are setting off your own personal fireworks, or are gearing up to do both, it’s important to make safety your top priority – especially when it comes to your children. If your child’s been harmed by a defective firework, it’s time to reach out to an experienced Columbia, South Carolina, product liability attorney for the legal guidance that you need.

The Statistics

The National Safety Council (NSC) shares the following statistics that demonstrate exactly how dangerous fireworks can be:

1. In 2017, 8 people were killed by fireworks, and more than 12,000 were so badly injured that they required medical care.

2. Of those injured, a full 50 percent were children and young adults (under the age of 20).

3. While many serious injuries are caused by amateurs who set off professional-grade fireworks, about 1,200 of those injuries suffered in 2017 were the direct result of less-powerful fireworks, such as sparklers and firecrackers.

Keeping Your Kids Safe

Fireworks are best left to the professionals, but if you choose to enjoy personal fireworks, keep all the following safety tips in mind regarding your children:

• Make sure that you know and follow the state and local fireworks laws.

• Never allow a young child to handle fireworks (even when they are not lit).

• When older children are allowed to handle fireworks, they should be closely supervised by an adult.

• Anyone who is setting off fireworks (or who is near someone setting off fireworks) should wear protective eyewear.

• Never light more than one firework at a time and distance yourself from the firework after doing so.

• Never attempt to relight or handle a firework that doesn’t go off the first time it’s lit.

NSC reports that while we think of sparklers as being relatively safe and often allow children to handle them, they’re actually far more dangerous than you may realize. Sparklers not only burn at very high temperatures but can also swiftly ignite clothing and hair.

Defective Products

If, in spite of your careful efforts to keep your child safe, they suffer an injury by a defective firework that dangerously malfunctions, don’t wait to consult with a dedicated product liability attorney. Depending upon the circumstances involved, liability may fall to one or more of the following:

• The manufacturer

• The importer

• The retailer

• Anyone else in the supply chain

Discuss Your Claim With an Experienced South Carolina Product Liability Attorney Today

Andrew Littlejohn Johnson at Littlejohn Law is a seasoned product liability attorney serving Columbia, Allendale, Jasper, Orangeburg, and Hampton, South Carolina, who recognizes the gravity of your fireworks claim and is well prepared to help. Your child’s recovery is paramount, so please don’t wait to contact