Regarding child firework accidents, New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July are key dates to keep in mind when celebrating with children. Also, fireworks are increasingly used in other types of celebrations throughout the year, both in the community and on the property of private residences.
Unfortunately, a celebration can quickly turn into a catastrophe with child firework accidents. Many times, these tragedies could have been prevented.
Common Types of Child Firework Accidents Injuries
Virtually any part of the body can be injured by fireworks. The most common type of firework injury in children are child burn injuries. However, these injuries tend to happen more often to the hands and fingers. Eye injuries are high on the list of body parts affected, followed by the head, face, ears and legs.
Minor burns can usually be treated with a first aid kit. However, if the child burn injuries are a second or third degree burns, medical attention will be required.
Second degree burns damage not only the surface area of the skin, but the layer underneath. Third degree burns go even deeper, damaging the tissue.
Severe burn injuries can cause swelling and blistering. There is the risk of developing an infection or going into shock, which can be life-threatening.
Although first and second degree burns generally heal on its own, third-degree burns may require skin grafting, a painful procedure in which the dead skin is removed and replaced with synthetic skin or healthy skin from another part of the person’s body. As a result, skin grafting could lead to scarring and even disfigurement.
Eye injuries are also common firework injuries. What makes eye injuries especially dangerous is the risk of disturbing the child’s vision. In severe cases, eye injuries can cause permanent blindness. According to Pediatrics, the official journal of the American academy of pediatrics, “approximately one-third of eye injuries from fireworks result in permanent blindness.”
Other types of injuries that can be sustained in child firework accidents include lacerations, abrasions and contusions. Tragically, it can also result in the loss of life.
Fireworks can cause structural fires, resulting in children being seriously or fatally injured. This can be result of inhaling the smoke or sustaining burns.
Negligence in a Fireworks Accident
In most fireworks accidents, there is some form of negligence involved. Despite the public being aware of the dangers of children using or being near fireworks, it continues to be a problem.
Some people believe that certain types of fireworks are safer. But when it comes to children using fireworks, there really is no such thing. Examples of the types of fireworks that are associated with many of the injuries in children include firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles.
Even sparklers, which some adults believe are the safest option, can cause significant harm. Sparklers can reach temperatures as high as 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, with the potential to catch fire onto a child’s clothing or to make direct contact with the skin (especially fingers and hands).
Adults who choose to put on their own fireworks display could be putting children’s lives at risk. If something goes wrong, it could result in an explosion, send sparks or debris flying, and material projecting with force into a child’s face.
Even with supervision, children can still be injured. Fireworks can be especially dangerous when supervision is absent or inadequate.
When negligence contributes to a fireworks accident involving children, it could lead to the filing of a claim. Talking with a Peachtree City, GA, personal injury attorney can help parents better understand legal options that may be available.
The law office of Jason R. Schultz employs Peachtree City, GA, personal injury attorneys concentrated in child injury cases. We may be able to help in determining the validity of a claim and explain the types of damages available after child firework accidents.