As the Fourth of July celebrations draw near, North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is underscoring the importance of fireworks and grilling safety to prevent unnecessary mishaps, injuries, or worse, his office announced yesterday. “A few minor precautions can mean the difference between life and death,” Causey stated, urging the community to plan ahead and stay alert for a joyous and incident-free holiday, as per the Department of Insurance's release.
Statistics from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) paint a grim reminder; with fireworks-related mishaps accounting for some 9,700 injuries in 2023 and it is a stark fact that teenagers aged 15 to 19 were most vulnerable, closely followed by children between five to nine years old. In his newly released video, Causey shared fundamental measures we all could adopt, to mitigate the risks associated with celebrating our nation's birthday.
Additional data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) further emphasizes the significance of exercising caution during these patriotic festivities; FEMA claims that grill fires on residential property lead to an average of 10 deaths and 100 injuries each year, accompanied by a staggering $37 million in property damage, with more than half such instances occurring from May through August. Through adherence to safety tips, such as keeping grills away from siding and never leaving them unattended while lit, the public can help averting these distressful outcomes.
Commissioner Causey's safety checklist for the holiday includes practical advice such as supervising children around fireworks and ensuring their legality in your region while maintaining ready access to water for emergencies, and when it comes to grilling, it's about outdoor placement, vigilance, and proper cooldown procedures. These and other crucial safety reminders are available on the NCDOI website, and Commissioner Causey's office invites everyone to keep them in mind as we approach our nation's Independence Day.
