Greensboro Personal Injury Lawyer - Fourth Of July

Tighter Safety Standards Sought In Wake of Tragic Fireworks Accident

Pierce Egerton — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:51:43 GMT

According to State Senator Marc Basnight, new legislation will be introduced next week to tighten safety standards for the handling of large quantities of fireworks. The move comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of 4 workers in a fireworks explosion on Ocracoke Island.

The AP is reporting that the bill will direct the state fire marshal to provide oversight in the handling of pyrotechnics. Further details were not available at this time. While the change comes too late to help the families who lost loved ones in the recent explosion, let’s hope new safety standards will prevent future tragedies.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

UPDATE: 4 Dead, 1 Injured in Tragic Fireworks Explosion

Pierce Egerton — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:42:18 GMT

The Virginian-Pilot is reporting that two more workers have died from injuries sustained when a truck loaded with fireworks exploded on Ocracoke Island in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The workers were apparently employed by Melrose South Pyrotechnics of Catawba, S.C. Melrose was going to provide the island’s annual Independence Day fireworks display.

www.youtube.com/watch

WAVY video.

One worker died at the scene. Of the other four injured workers, two were apparently airlifted to the Jaycee Burn Unit at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and two were airlifted to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, N.C.

One of the workers taken to the burn center and one of the workers taken to Pitt Memorial subsequently died according to reports.

Several government agencies are investigating the explosion including the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and the SBI. Ferry service to the island was closed to the public for several hours.

UPDATE 7/5/09: Sadly the death toll in yesterday's explosion rose to 4 this morning.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

One Dead, Four Wounded in Fireworks Blast

Pierce Egerton — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:15:58 GMT

One worker was killed and four others seriously injured when a truck filled with fireworks exploded this morning on Ocracoke Island, NC. WFMY is reporting that one of the injured suffered serious burns and was airlifted to UNC’s burn center in Chapel Hill.

According to a story by ABC11 the fireworks were for an annual Independence Day celebration on the remote island. Jane Hodges, Hyde County interim emergency manager, said, "There was an immediate response from Hyde County Sheriff's Department, the National Park Service, NC DOT Ferry Division, Marine Fisheries, and volunteers to handle the crowds and assess the situation. Fortunately, there were three doctors including a medical examiner and volunteer nurses who responded immediately along with the staff of the Ocracoke Health Center and Hyde County EMS."

Ferry service to Ocracoke was closed to the public for most of the day as use of the ferry was dedicated to emergency traffic.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

Light My Fire - Carefully! Tips for Improved Fireworks Safety

Pierce Egerton — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:33:00 GMT

My family and I plan to have a blast this Independence Day -- literally! Like millions of others all over the country we will be enjoying fireworks. It’s important to keep in mind in mind, however, that fireworks are explosives and need to be handled with extreme caution.

According to the CDC there were an estimated 10,800 people treated for fireworks inflicted injuries in emergency departments throughout the nation in 2005. About 60% of those occurred in the month surrounding Independence Day.

The CDC recommends that fireworks should be handled only by specially trained professionals. However, if you intend to have your own fireworks display, please keep in mind these tips from the Consumer Product Safety Commission:

Do not allow young children to play with fire-works under any circumstances. Sparklers, considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing. Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.
Older children should only be permitted to use fireworks under close adult supervision. Do not allow any running or horseplay.
Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from houses, dry leaves or grass and flammable materials.
Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that don't go off.
Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.
Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.
Observe local laws.
Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

Highway Patrol Out In Force This Weekend

Pierce Egerton — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:48:56 GMT

We have already seen several serious accidents in the Piedmont this week and with far too many fatalities. Now we are on the eve of what is traditionally one of the most dangerous weekends of the year to be on the road.

In an effort to cut down on accidents and promote safe driving over the Independence Day weekend, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol will be participating in the nationwide Operation CARE (Combined Accident Reduction Effort).

In advance of the holiday weekend, the NC State Highway Patrol posted the following press release.

Highway Patrol Encouraging Motorists to Slow Down During the July 4th Holiday

The N.C. Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to be careful as they enjoy the July 4th holiday. Motorists who slow down and travel at posted speeds will not only increase their chances of arriving at their destination safely they will also conserve fuel.

There will be an increased presence of Troopers on the interstates and major four lane highways.

Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in the state. State Troopers will be cracking down on speeders during the holiday and will be using LIDAR and other speed timing devices to assist them in enforcing the speed laws.

Additionally Troopers will increase patrols on all interstates and major four lane highways during the holiday. Last year in North Carolina, eight people died and 634 were injured over the July 4th holiday period. The 2009 July 4th holiday begins at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 2nd and ends at midnight, Sunday, July 5th.

Troopers will target aggressive drivers who tend to cause the most crashes. The aggressive driver has been identified as those drivers who flagrantly violate the motor vehicle laws, including but not limited to: excessive speeding, following too closely, erratic lane changes, safe movement violations, and other forms of reckless endangerment.

“I have instructed our troopers to crackdown on traffic violators on our interstates and to apply strict enforcement to those motorists who are traveling at dangerous speeds or in a careless manner,” said Colonel Walter J. Wilson Jr., Highway Patrol Commander. “Our Troopers will be looking for aggressive drivers, drunk drivers, and other violators while patrolling throughout the state during the holiday week.”

Reuben Young, Secretary of the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, said, “We are committed to doing our part to reduce traffic collisions throughout our state. Motorists should do their part by obeying all traffic laws while traveling to their holiday destination.”

Troopers will be participating in the nationwide “Operation C.A.R.E.” (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). “Operation C.A.R.E.” is a coordinated education and enforcement effort involving all Highway Patrol and State Police agencies across the nation. These high visibility patrols during national holiday periods are designed to prevent crashes and ensure voluntary compliance with the motor vehicle laws.

Troopers will also increase their efforts to enforce the state's litter laws. Troopers will crackdown on litter bugs and keep litter off of North Carolina's roads. Tougher littering laws passed by the N.C. General Assembly first-time offenders can be fined as much as $1,000 and be ordered to perform up to 24 hours of community service. Repeat offenders can get a $2,000 fine and 50 hours community service. The Department of Transportation's Office of Beautification maintains the website where litterbug reports can be submitted. The address is www.dot.state.nc.us/litterbug . The page can also be found by going to the SHP website at www.nccrimecontrol.org .

Citizens may report crashes, drunk drivers, stranded motorists or other highway situations to the Highway Patrol by dialing *HP (*47) on their cellular telephones. This is a toll free call that connects the caller with the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.

# # #

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton