36,000 TNT Fireworks Recalled for Burn Hazard

Just a few days before the July 4 holiday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall for about 36,000 TNT-brand fireworks in four states after three people sustained burn injuries. According to news reports, the TNT Red, White & Blue Smoke fireworks can unexpectedly explode after being lit, posing burn and injury hazards to consumers. Anyone who has the fireworks should refrain from using them and get in touch with America Promotional Events for a full refund.

So far, the company has received three reports of people who suffered burns after using these defective fireworks. The $5 firework packages involved in this recall were sold in Illinois, Ohio, Vermont and Wisconsin starting this May at several stores including Albertsons, Kroger, Meijer, Target and Wal-Mart. The products can be identified with UPC number 027736036561. If you have any questions or concerns, call 1-800-243-1189 for more information.

Injuries from Fireworks

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2014, U.S. hospital emergency rooms saw an estimated 10,500 people for fireworks-related injuries. These numbers were just based on injuries seen between June 20 and July 20 of that year. More than half of the firework injuries were burns and almost 17 percent were contusions or lacerations.

More than 36 percent of the firework injuries in 2014 were to the hands or fingers. One in five were eye injuries. An additional 19 percent of the injuries were to other parts of the head. Sparklers alone accounted for more than 28 percent of emergency room fireworks injuries in 2014. Only 6 percent of these injuries were caused by public displays.

Safety Tips for July 4

Here are a few fireworks safety tips to help you have a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July celebration:

• Do not allow young children to light fireworks or play with them.
• Never buy fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that they are made for professional displays and could pose a danger to consumers.
• Older children or teens should not use fireworks without adult supervision. Even sparklers can cause severe burn injuries. They burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees, which is hot enough to melt certain metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over the fireworks when lighting the fuse. After you light them, back up to a safe distance.
• Do not attempt to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a garden hose or a bucket of water right next to you in case of a fire or some other mishap.
• Do not carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• Douse burned fireworks with plenty of water before discarding them to prevent trash fires.
• Make fireworks are legal in your area before buying them. Never buy illegal fireworks.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a fireworks accident, please contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.