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

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 (PDF) 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.

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 Customs 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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Florida Woman Celebrates July 4th Walking Across America to Honor Veterans

BUSINESS WIRE--She’s walking with a purpose and it is not to lose weight or raise money. Her name is Keela Carr and she is about half way across the United States on her way to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and Arlington National Cemetery to show support for our troops and honor Veterans. Carr began her “Journey of a Thousand Thanks” in Barstow, California.

The U.S. Army’s Freedom Team Salute (FTS) Program has recognized Carr’s efforts and named her its 500th Volunteer Ambassador. Freedom Team Salute honors all discharged Army Veterans and the Spouses, Parents, Supporters, and Employers of all Soldiers. Carr will be honored as a strong Army supporter and receive a FTS Commendation consisting of a certificate and a letter signed by the Secretary of the Army, Peter Geren and Army Chief of Staff, General George Casey, at a special ceremony at Arlington Cemetery.

“July 4th is our Nation’s birthday and everyone in the United States should pause and take time to thank our Veterans and our deployed troops who are serving in harm’s way,” said Carr. “Freedom isn’t free. In fact, it is very expensive. Tens of thousands of brave men and women continue to make sacrifices to defend the United States and protect the freedoms we all take for granted.”

Carr says Americans have traditionally attended parades, barbecues, and fireworks on July 4th. She said the time we spend with family members and friends on our Nation’s birthday is important but remembering our Nation’s Soldiers is a must.

“Walking across America is my way of giving back,” said Carr. “The inspiration for my walk developed after I made a visit to Walter Reed last year and saw some of the severely wounded Soldiers. After leaving the hospital I decided to raise awareness for them and all Veterans. On July 4th, all Americans should find a way to say thank you and give back to our Soldiers and Veterans.”

“Keela Carr is on a mission,” said Colonel David Griffith, Director of the Army’s Freedom Team Salute Program. “It takes a special person to decide to leave their loved ones, job, and other activities to walk across America in support of Veterans and our active duty Soldiers. She is selfless and demonstrates her commitment to our Nation as she takes each step toward Walter Reed Medical Center in support of our troops.”

“When I arrive in D.C. I will be carrying a quilt made by the wives of World War II Veterans,” said Carr. “I’ll deliver the quilt to one of the severely injured Soldiers in the Wounded Warrior Project at Walter Reed to show him and others that people in America do care about our Soldiers.”

Keela Carr is 35 years old and originally from Danville, Illinois. She now makes her home in Apopka, Florida, outside of Orlando. Carr has been a personal trainer for 11 years specializing in rehabilitation, weight loss, post natal fitness and sports training.

Freedom Team Salute is a U.S. Army program launched in May 2005, by the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff to give the public the opportunity to thank Army Veterans for their service by recognizing them with Commendations. The program also provides the opportunity for Soldiers to thank Parents, a Spouse, Employers, and individual Supporters who make significant contributions to Soldiers and the Army mission. Freedom Team Salute has honored more than 1.3 million individuals over the past 3 years. For more information on becoming a Freedom Team Salute Ambassador or to honor a Veteran, go to www.freedomteamsalute.com

Atlanta Braves Celebrate Independence Day Weekend with a Salute to Our Troops and an "All American Fireworks Spectacular" on Friday, July 4th

Independence Day celebrations at Turner Field will honor members of the United States military and their families, and a post-game "Salute to America Fireworks Spectacular," presented by Publix Super Markets, will feature a dazzling display of pyrotechnics, choreographed to patriotic music, that will light up the Atlanta skyline in red, white and blue.

The Braves holiday-weekend festivities will continue with a free concert by two-time Grammy Award-winning group Arrested Development in Fan Plaza on Saturday, July 5th. Arrested Development will perform in Fan Plaza beginning at 5:30, and will make an encore appearance in Fan Plaza after the game.

Arrested Development's lead female vocalist, Tasha LaRae, will also perform the national anthem on Friday, July 4th. Operation Homefront Georgia will bring together volunteers from the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and National Guard to carry the largest American flag ever displayed at Turner Field during pre-game ceremonies. More than 350 military families will join Operation Homefront at the game, including soldiers wounded in action from Fort Gordon, Georgia. Tributes on BravesVision from Major League Baseball and the Atlanta Braves will thank military men and women for their service and celebrate the history of our nation.

Serving as the Braves' Honorary Team Captain for the evening on July 4th will be Captain Joseph Anthony, of Richmond, Virginia, a 16 year veteran of the United States Army. Captain Anthony, a decorated soldier, is currently serving in Iraq, and will return home to the United States shortly before Independence Day. His awards and decorations include: the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Expert Field Medical Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

For games throughout the July 4 weekend and on September 11th, all Major League Baseball teams will wear "Stars & Stripes" caps that are available for sale to the public with a portion of the proceeds going to Welcome Back Veterans.

Braves Independence Day Weekend schedule:
Friday, July 4th:
7:10 p.m. - Pre-game ceremonies begin on field featuring Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and National Guard and the largest American flag ever displayed at Turner Field
7:20 p.m. - National Anthem performed by Arrested Development's lead female vocalist, Tasha LaRae
7:30 p.m. - Braves Honorary Team Captain, Captain Joseph Anthony, to exchange line up cards with game officials and coaches
7:35 p.m. - Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros first pitch
Post Game - "Salute to America Fireworks Spectacular," presented by Publix Super Markets

Saturday, July 5th:
5:30 p.m. - Arrested Development concert in Fan Plaza
7:05 p.m. - Braves vs. Houston Astros
Post Game - Arrested Development encore in Fan Plaza

Gwinnett Glows Promises Fireworks, Fun on the Fourth

Gwinnett County’s annual Fourth of July celebration will take place throughout downtown Lawrenceville again this year. All activities will get underway at 5 p.m.

Radio station 95.5 The Beat will broadcast live from Historic Courthouse Square. Live entertainment will again feature Tim Purcell and the Mustangs on the outdoor stage. Inside the Historic Courthouse, there will be a Piccadilly Puppets show at 5:30 p.m., Carey Henderson’s Magic Show at 6:30 p.m. and Steel Drums with Scott Douglas at 7:30 p.m. Other free kid’s activities on the square include a rock-climbing wall, small Ferris wheel, petting zoo, crazy copters, and a play zone for kids under 6.

Activities along Perry Street south of the Square will include the Georgia Force Street Team, midway games, temporary tattoos, and face-painting. First aid will be available at Fire Station 15 on Perry Street, and at the lost kids stations on the square and in the back of the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC) parking lot.

The GJAC parking lot will feature pony rides, dance exhibitions, an extreme bungee trampoline, American Express trains and Buccaneer Ship giant slide. The fireworks show, sponsored by local businesses, will again be fired from the Nash Street parking lot behind GJAC and will be visible all over the downtown area. Portable restroom facilities will be available both adjacent to the square and at GJAC.

There will be limited parking in the main GJAC lot with space in the back rows reserved for fireworks spectators. A short trail near the Fallen Heroes Memorial connects pedestrians to downtown. Parts of Luckie Street, Constitution Boulevard, Perry Street, Crogan Street, Culver Street and Nash Street will be closed to vehicular traffic on the day of the event.

A wide variety of food concessions will be for sale throughout the area including sandwiches, BBQ, chicken, hot dogs, corn dogs, fish, and turkey. Sweets include frozen custard, ice cream and Italian ice, cotton candy, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, French fries, funnel cakes, and fried candy.

“Gwinnett Glows has become an Independence Day tradition for tens of thousands of area residents over the past 20 years,” said Communications Director Joe Sorenson. “TVgwinnett (cable channel 23) will again provide live TV coverage and streaming video at gwinnettcounty.com. Even if you can’t make it to the festivities, you can still catch it on cable or online.”

Major sponsors include The Gwinnett Daily Post, 95.5 The Beat, Coca-Cola, Jordan, Jones & Golding, Moreland Altobelli Associates, Inc., the Gwinnett Parks Foundation and Party City.

More information and photos of last year’s event are on the County’s website at gwinnettcounty.com.