LOS ANGELES - A series of preventable mishaps with personal-use fireworks sent several Los Angeles residents to the hospital on Independence Day, including at least three children who sustained painful injuries.
Hospitals across the region reported seeing firework related injuries from walk-in patients throughout the day on Wednesday, July 4, 2012; and in at least two separate cases, Los Angeles Fire Department Paramedics provided care to firework injured children under the age of five.
At 9:02 PM, LAFD crews rushed to the 500 block of West 111th Street in South Los Angeles, where a 3-year-old boy was one of two persons in a large crowd injured by illegal fireworks. The boy suffered a significant forehead laceration, while an unrelated 38 year-old man sustained a puncture wound to his leg.
At 9:35 PM, the Los Angeles Fire Department responded to the 2200 block of East 101st Street in Watts, where a 4-year-old girl suffered a sizeable and potentially scarring full-thickness burn to the right side of her neck when as much as 2 percent of her body surface area was impacted by a flaming and outlawed "Roman Candle".
The parents of yet a third Los Angeles area child burned by unlawful fireworks made a frantic 9:27 PM telephone call from their car to 9-1-1 Dispatchers while racing to a local hospital, but did not offer their location, additional details or remain on the line.
The many persons - especially young people, injured by personal-use fireworks in Los Angeles stood in stark contrast to the countless families across the region who safely attended professional displays.
It is important to note that the possession or personal use of any firework has been outlawed in the City of Los Angeles since World War II.
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
Showing posts with label fireworks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fireworks. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
LAFD Provides Keys to Safe and Sane Independence Day
If you listen, the "U.S.A." chants are getting louder. "London Calling" you say? Absolutely. First, however, we celebrate our country's Independence Day! With that...red, white and blue will once again be the order of the day! Despite its mid-week celebration this year, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, will no doubt bring out the best and in some unfortunate cases, the worst in revelers from coast to coast.
Enjoy the weekend. Enjoy family and friends. Enjoy foods and libations (in moderation.) And enjoy the freedom and liberty that was made possible by those the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our independence!
May God Bless theUnited States of America!
And the crowd chants "U.S.A....U.S.A...U.S.A."
Submitted by, Matt Spence Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
For the safety and security of all, your Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reminds you once again, that fireworks of all types, even those dubbed "safe and sane", remain illegal in the City of Los Angeles. We encourage everyone to join with firefighters everywhere in support of a safe Independence Day by attending or viewing a public fireworks show sponsored and produced by professionals. For detailed information please visit:
You may choose to spend the mid-week Holiday at home with your family or a small group. But it is Summer and you may have opted to travel by air, road or rail and spend it with the masses elsewhere or perhaps with a huge group that just happens to resemble your family. Wherever you wind up and however you do it, your LAFD would like to offer a few tips on staying safe and perhaps keeping yourself sane. Additionally, we want you to rest easy knowing your LAFD stands always at the ready for anything that may come our way.
These 4th of July Safety Tips are provided with help from our friends at the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health and a few of our own, we thought were worthy of mention:
- Cook, grill or BBQ intelligently. Use clean plates, store food properly and prepare it correctly. Oh yeah, and watch out for over-exposure to the grill..yes, too much to eat!
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure and sun damage...especially if it's your attempt to even-out that burn from the "fluorescent sun" in your office. Wear sunscreen. Apply it generously and often.
- Be aware of changing weather conditions. Find or tune into a news source.
- Be aware of changing traffic conditions, road closures and other delays.
- If in or around any body of water, please pool safely and always have someone watching the water.
- If you take to the mountains for some hiking or biking, don't go alone and please do so during daylight hours. Hydrate and pack a snack. Don't underestimate the terrain. And, if you have one, take a mobile phone with you and make sure it's charged.
- If you choose to imbibe, don't drink and drive! We all know the sobering statistics. Appoint a designated driver early, use a driver service (there are many), call a cab or just stay sober!
- Whatever you do and wherever you do it...have fun, but please exercise good judgment and common sense!
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| LAFD's Air Ops: "Patriotic Hydration" |
May God Bless the
Submitted by, Matt Spence Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Prevent a Nightmare on the 4th of July
Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings wants you and your family to have a fun and safe 4th of July. The best way to do that is to be prepared and know your local laws.
As you can imagine, every 4th of July is one of the busiest days of the year for emergency services, and most calls are for fires and injuries caused by people using illegal fireworks. All too often, firefighters care for painful and disfiguring firecracker injuries that happen to the eyes, hands, head, and face.
Here are four statistics to contemplate...
We need your help:
"Prevent a nightmare on the 4th of July. Stay away from playing with fireworks, and play it safe by attending a public fireworks display." - Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings
Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
Some are still surprised to learn that the use or sale of ALL FIREWORKS including so called "safe and sane" have been illegal in the City of Los Angeles since 1942, except at approved fireworks shows of course.
Here are four statistics to contemplate...
- Almost half of all people injured were children under the age of 15.
- According to the United States eye registry, more bystanders are injured by fireworks than by the people who set them off.
- Sparklers can heat up to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit (that is hot enough to melt gold).
- The highest numbers of injuries are firecrackers (26%), rockets (21%), and sparklers (11%).
Your LAFD is committed to safety and thus started the Anti-Fireworks campaign in 1982 and participates in an annual joint 4th of July Anti-Fireworks Press Conference, educating and informing citizens, all in an effort to reduce the number of injuries and property loss caused by illegal fireworks.
We need your help:
- If you see a fire, call 9-1-1.
- Remind others to never experiment with or make their own fireworks.
- Never let anyone touch or pick up a dud firecracker that is lying on the ground.
"Prevent a nightmare on the 4th of July. Stay away from playing with fireworks, and play it safe by attending a public fireworks display." - Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings
Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
Monday, July 4, 2011
L.A. Firework Injury Places Girl's Eyesight at Risk
SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Doctors in Los Angeles were striving late Monday to save a girl's eyesight following a horrific injury caused by an illegal firework during a private Independence Day celebration.
The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 10:52 P.M. on Monday, July 4, 2011 to 617 West 42nd Place in South Los Angeles, where they encountered a 12 year-old girl with severe eye damage.
According to witnesses, the girl had been in front of a home using a sparkler - also illegal in Los Angeles, when another person discharged an illegal 'firecracker-like' device near her face, impaling her right eye.
A team of six LAFD crew members worked in unison to stabilize the injury while providing emotional care to the patient and her family, then quickly transported the girl to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where a team of experts awaited to provide her care.
Los Angeles Police Officers will investigate circumstances of the injury. The personal use of any firework, including so-called "safe and sane" devices has been illegal in the City of Los Angeles since World War II.
Dispatched Units: E14 RA833 RA15
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 10:52 P.M. on Monday, July 4, 2011 to 617 West 42nd Place in South Los Angeles, where they encountered a 12 year-old girl with severe eye damage.
According to witnesses, the girl had been in front of a home using a sparkler - also illegal in Los Angeles, when another person discharged an illegal 'firecracker-like' device near her face, impaling her right eye.
A team of six LAFD crew members worked in unison to stabilize the injury while providing emotional care to the patient and her family, then quickly transported the girl to Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where a team of experts awaited to provide her care.
Los Angeles Police Officers will investigate circumstances of the injury. The personal use of any firework, including so-called "safe and sane" devices has been illegal in the City of Los Angeles since World War II.
Dispatched Units: E14 RA833 RA15
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
Illegal Fireworks Suspected Following Chatsworth Blaze
CHATSWORTH - A grass fire on Independence Day in the northwest San Fernando Valley reported to have injured one or more persons, may have been sparked by illegal fireworks.
Fifty-five Los Angeles Fire Department personnel - including four LAFD helicopters, were summoned at 9:32 P.M. on Monday, July 4, 2011, to 10619 Andora Avenue in Chatsworth, where residents reported a grass fire at nearby Stoney Point, an iconic landmark and municipal park popular with hikers and revered by climbing enthusiasts.
According to witnesses, a thunderous explosion occurred before fire erupted near the site's massive outcroppings. Arriving quickly by ground and air, Los Angeles Firefighters hiked up steep and winding trails in the darkness to confine the wildfire, as LAFD helicopters flanked the blaze that scorched less than a half-acre of tinder-dry brush in the 43 minutes it took to fully extinguish the flames.
Despite an exhaustive search of rugged terrain across the 76-acre site nestled between the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, firefighters were unable to find one or more persons that a witness said were burned in the fire. In seeking the those injured, firefighters discovered and took custody of a large cache of fireworks found atop the towering cliffs.
The specific cause of the blaze remains part of an active investigation by Los Angeles Police and Fire Department Investigators. Those with information about the event are asked to call the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section at (213) 485-6095.
Dispatched Units: E107 E296 E87 T96 BC14 E496 BC15 E72 H4 H6 H1 H3 E106 E104 E103 BP8 AR2 RP88
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
Fifty-five Los Angeles Fire Department personnel - including four LAFD helicopters, were summoned at 9:32 P.M. on Monday, July 4, 2011, to 10619 Andora Avenue in Chatsworth, where residents reported a grass fire at nearby Stoney Point, an iconic landmark and municipal park popular with hikers and revered by climbing enthusiasts.
According to witnesses, a thunderous explosion occurred before fire erupted near the site's massive outcroppings. Arriving quickly by ground and air, Los Angeles Firefighters hiked up steep and winding trails in the darkness to confine the wildfire, as LAFD helicopters flanked the blaze that scorched less than a half-acre of tinder-dry brush in the 43 minutes it took to fully extinguish the flames.
Despite an exhaustive search of rugged terrain across the 76-acre site nestled between the Simi Hills and Santa Susana Mountains, firefighters were unable to find one or more persons that a witness said were burned in the fire. In seeking the those injured, firefighters discovered and took custody of a large cache of fireworks found atop the towering cliffs.
The specific cause of the blaze remains part of an active investigation by Los Angeles Police and Fire Department Investigators. Those with information about the event are asked to call the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section at (213) 485-6095.
Dispatched Units: E107 E296 E87 T96 BC14 E496 BC15 E72 H4 H6 H1 H3 E106 E104 E103 BP8 AR2 RP88
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
Article any source
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