MADISON COUNTY, AL (WAFF) -
Fire Marshals are
investigating how fireworks exploded in a Madison County teen's lap, severely
burning him on the legs and abdomen.
Marshals said they
investigate every firework case with injuries but are paying special attention
to this one.
Last year, HEMSI responded
to nine firework emergencies around Independence Day,
"People take it for
granted, get a little too close, make a boo boo, a bad mistake and unfortunately
it has a high price to pay," said HEMSI director Don Webster. "Anything
from burns to foreign debris, hot debris, cinders that get into."
Marty Raines who sells
fireworks for O'Boy Fireworks in Madison County said that when there's a report
about firework injuries it has the potential to hurt business for everyone.
"I see it as an
accident and not a product malfunction, 99.9 percent of the time," said
Raines.
He said people don't
handle them properly, so he keeps a safety sign up that customers see before
they leave.
"Use it the way it's
supposed to be used," said Raines. "If you have kids under 16, be out there
supervising them. Make sure they are doing what they are supposed to be
doing."
Officials recommended always
keeping a bucket of water close by when lighting fireworks and wearing eye
protection to prevent injury.
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