CPSC Announces Drop in Fireworks-Related Injuries; Consumers Still Urged to Celebrate...

CPSC Announces Drop in Fireworks-Related Injuries; Consumers Still Urged to
Celebrate Safe This July 4th

CPSC Introduces the New Face of Safety - Chairman Inez Tenenbaum

WASHINGTON, June 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission's new Chairman, Inez Tenenbaum, urged families today to put
safety first during the Fourth of July holiday and celebrate with caution when
it comes to fireworks. The latest report from CPSC indicates that there were
reports of seven fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 7,000 hospital
emergency room treated injuries in 2008. In 2007, CPSC had reports of eleven
deaths and an estimated 9,800 injuries.

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Chairman Tenenbaum, in a press event and fireworks demonstration on the
National Mall, reminded consumers that even with fewer reported deaths and
injuries in 2008, the one-month period surrounding the Fourth of July is still
the most dangerous time. In fact, 70 percent of all fireworks-related injuries
occurred between June 20 and July 20.

"CPSC wants to keep reducing fireworks-related deaths and injuries in 2009,"
said Chairman Tenenbaum. "Children should never play with or light fireworks,
and adults should watch our demonstrations to see how powerful and dangerous
illegal fireworks can be."

Chairman Tenenbaum was joined on the National Mall by Tony West, Assistant
Attorney General for the Civil Division of the Department of Justice; Dan
Baldwin, Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Trade within Customers and
Border Protection (CBP); and Joseph Riehl, Acting Assistant Director of the
Office of Enforcement Programs and Services for the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

CPSC continues to work to keep American families safe by educating the public
about the risk of injury associated with fireworks, enforcing fireworks
regulations, and prosecuting dealers and distributors who manufacture and sell
illegal explosives.

As a part of its fireworks enforcement program, CPSC actively works with ATF
to investigate roadside stands, warehouses and retail stores that sell
professional grade explosives to consumers, and homes that serve as havens for
the manufacture of dangerous fireworks devices. These investigations have
resulted in dozens of successful prosecutions by the Justice Department's
Office of Consumer Litigation and U.S. Attorney offices across the country.

On June 19, 2009, a federal judge in the Eastern District of New York
sentenced Jon Cea and Vincent Cea to 24 months and 36 months in federal
prison, respectively, after they pleaded guilty to conspiracy to engage in the
business of dealing in explosive materials, involving the illegal sale of more
than 1,000 pounds of explosives. The defendants and their customers were not
licensed, yet they purchased and sold professional display fireworks. CPSC
and the Justice Department worked in partnership on this case.

At the ports, CPSC is working alongside CBP to ensure shipments are in
compliance with the federal regulations. With CBP assistance, last year CPSC
staff found through sampling and testing of fireworks shipments that
forty-nine percent of these shipments contained illegal fireworks.

While the federal government remains committed to stopping the manufacture and
sale of illegal fireworks, CPSC encourages consumers who decide to purchase
legal fireworks to:

-- Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
-- Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using
them.
-- Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this can
often be a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays
and could pose a danger to consumers.
-- Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often
don't realize that there are many injuries from sparklers to
children under five. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000
degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
-- Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks device
when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after
lighting.
-- Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully
functioned.
-- Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
-- Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other
mishap.
-- Light one item at a time, then move back quickly.
-- Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass
containers.
-- After fireworks fully complete their functioning, douse the spent
device
with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding to
prevent
a trash fire.

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SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

CPSC Media Contact: +1-301-504-7908