Community Corner
Two Serious Fireworks Related Injuries Reported in Seminole Heights Area
The Fourth of July holiday resulted in a few serious injuries causing Tampa Fire Department officials to plead for safe patriotic displays.
The Tampa Fire Department has reported four serious injuries around the City of Tampa due to a lack of safety precautions by fireworks user during the Independence Day holiday.
Two of the incidents took place near the Seminole Heights area. At 8:48 p.m. the department responded to a call in the 1900 block of Ellicott Street East where a firework struck a minor between the ages of 5 and 14 in the foot causing serious bleeding. The second incident in the area took place just after 11 p.m. in the 300 block of East Gladys Street where an 18-year old female was struck in the mouth by a firework.
The incidents have led to TFD to once again stress the importance of safety and smart decision making for those who continue their celebration throughout the week of July 4.
Find out what's happening in Seminole Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
If you have leftover fireworks and plan on celebrating through the weekend, be sure to follow these safety tips from TFD.
-Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
-Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often
a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they
could pose a danger to consumers.
-Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents remember young
children can suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of
about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
-Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when
lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting
fireworks.
-Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
-Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
-Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
-Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
-Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass
containers.
-After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of
water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
-Make sure fireworks are legal before buying or using them.