July 4th Fireworks Can Be Too Hot to Handle, Warns J. Shaffer Smith & Associates

LOS ANGELES, June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Fireworks are just about everyone's favorite part of the July 4^th holiday. However, the highly regarded legal team at the Law Offices of J. Shaffer Smith & Associates would like to remind the public that, from the point of view of a first responder or a burn injury lawyer, fireworks definitely have their unattractive side when used unsafely. The firm, regarded as the place to find the kind of first-rate personal injury attorney Los Angeles residents often need, would like to remind everyone reading this to follow all fire regulations – which mean not using fireworks at all in many areas – and to exercise maximum caution. Better yet, regardless of legality, watching a professional fireworks display is always the safest choice.

Fireworks go back a very long way in American culture. Indeed on July 3, 1776, founding father John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, that the imminent signing of the Declaration of Independence "ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more." Those prophetic words from our nation's second president have been put into practice every year in one of our nation's most beloved traditions.

However, everything has its downside and the "illuminations" Mr. Adams spoke of have accounted for countless deaths and personal injuries over the centuries and decades. Especially here in fire-prone Southern California, laws regarding fireworks tend to be understandably strict. Only "safe and sane" (i.e., non-aerial and non-explosive) fireworks may be purchased anywhere in California and only between June 28^th and July 6th. Fireworks are banned outright in much of the state, including the city of Los Angeles and all the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Nevertheless, laws are not always obeyed and the use of obviously illegal fireworks is extremely common in early July in certain parts of Southern California.

While we all appreciate the beauty and excitement of fireworks, the attorneys of J. Shaffer Smith & Associates would like to warn the public that obeying these laws is absolutely crucial, as is proper fire safety. Should you break a law, or fail to take all reasonable precautions when using legal fireworks, you will very likely be liable for any injuries or deaths, not to mention property damage that may result. Indeed, the range of injuries that can result from fireworks mishaps can be truly frightening.  While extremely painful burn injuries are the most common result of a fireworks accident, the result of a sudden fire are highly unpredictable and at times a wrongful death or brain injury lawyer may even become part of the picture.

While the Law Offices of J. Shaffer Smith & Associates understands the appeal of home fireworks, they strongly suggest that readers instead take advantage of all the many professionally organized displays happening across Southern California this July 4^th, including many free-to-the-public events. Letting professionals provide your July 4^th entertainment is not only safer, their fireworks are all the more impressive. We think John Adams himself would agree. 

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a personal injury, learn more about your rights by contacting the Law Offices of J. Shaffer Smith & Associate at 310-736-1303 or via the firm's web site at shaffersmithlaw.com. They are there to help when people need help the most.

PR submitted by www.Cyberset.com

SOURCE The Law Offices of J. Shaffer Smith & Associates