Summer traditions can be fun for the whole family. On the Fourth of July, you can most commonly see people celebrating by watching fireworks, having cookouts on the grill, and spending the day outside in the sun. But what do these three activities have in common besides being part of the summer fun? They can cause burns. Serious ones. Our Texas burn injury lawyer says that the data may surprise you — many people, specifically children, get hurt every year from improper use of fireworks, burns from grills, and being in the sun for too long.
Fireworks
Fireworks are fun to watch, especially as part of the Fourth of July celebrations. But they are extremely dangerous and illegal to use in many parts of the country, particularly areas that are more densely populated, like cities and suburbs.
It’s best if fireworks are left to the professionals. A 2019 Consumer Product Safety Commission Report showed the following:
- There were 10,200 fireworks-related injuries treated in U.S. Hospitals
- 7,300 (73%) of those injuries happened between June 21, 2019, and July 21, 2019
- 36% of the total injuries happened to children under the age of 15
- Burns were the most common injury, making up 58% of the total injuries
The dangers of fireworks are very much prevalent. Enjoy a fireworks show (run by professionals) from a safe viewing distance.
Grilling
Grilling is a beloved summertime activity, and July is one of the peak months for it. It’s a time to finally enjoy the sunshine and the great outdoors. Usually, the biggest debate is: gas or charcoal? Regardless of what you prefer to use, it is important to follow all safety procedures when using your grill. Approximately one-third of non-fire grill burns (which may mean a person has contact with the grill, not the fire) is made up of children under the age of 5. Make sure to follow these safety practices for a fun time grilling with friends and family.
- Always use your grill outdoors. Smoke and gas buildup in the house can cause carbon monoxide poising
- Create a “kid-free” zone that makes at least 3 feet of space between the grill and where the child can be. You can mark the zone with tape and make a rule that no children are allowed to go past that line
- Never leave a hot grill unattended
- Properly maintain your grill—clean it and check it for gas leaks
Sunburns
Sometimes, it’s nice to spend the day outside, but too many UV rays can cause serious sunburns, even leading to second and third-degree burns on your skin. Usually, the most common sunburns people experience are first-degree sunburns, sunburns that affect the outer layer of the skin. Second-degree sunburns can be much more painful, potentially taking weeks to heal and needing doctors’ visits. Serious sunburns are sometimes called sun poisoning.
Signs of a severe sunburn may include:
- Change in skin tone (severe redness on the skin)
- Skin Pain
- Blistering of the skin
- Fever or headache
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
Other Items That Cause Burns to Children
Children are naturally curious and enjoy exploring, but they often lack the judgment to know how dangerous an item is. Children can get burned easily by everyday items like
- Stoves
- Boiling Water
- Hot drinks (coffee, tea)
- Bottle warmers
- Hair irons
- Ovens
- Hot water from the faucet
- Humidifiers
Our firm has handled severe burn cases in children, including an extremely serious bottle warmer burn case, which caused an infant to experience a very visible and painful scald burn to his face.
We understand that burns can be caused by everyday items and activities. That's why we advocate for the safety and the prevention of future burns. If you'd like more information, reach out to our team today.
If Your Child Was Burned Contact a Local Injury Lawyer
If your child was burned because of another person's negligence, be sure to contact us. We take injuries to children very seriously and want to help you get the justice you deserve. To reach out, you can call us at (214) 699-4409 or email [email protected]. We are here to help.
