Video Clip - CPSC Announces Drop in Fireworks-Related Injuries;
Consumers Still Urged To Celebrate Safe This July 4th, 2009
Press Release # 09-258
Transcript
The picture, text and audio sequence is as follows:
- Screen reading: "CPSC Warns of Fireworks Dangers. Demonstrations Show Potential for Injury and Death. This tape is sponsored by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. For more information contact Nychelle Fleming or Kim Dulic/CPSC (301) 504-7800"
- Screen reading: "BACKGROUND: WASHINGTON, D.C. – 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 six 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."
- Screen reading: "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 for occurred between June 20 and July 20."
- Screen reading: "As a part of its fireworks enforcement program, CPSC actively works with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (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."
- Screen reading: "At the ports, CPSC is working alongside Customs and Border Protection (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."
- Screen reading: "Soundbites: Inez Tenenbaum, Chairman, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission"
- Audio of Chairman Inez Tenenbaum speaking:
"We know many communities across the country are struggling financially and some have decided this year to cancel their local fireworks shows. For those who experience fireworks from the backyard instead of the local fairground or schools, our message is clear: never, ever allow children to play with or be around them unsupervised and adults should also use caution when setting fireworks off."
"The message is so important today, because 70 percent of all fireworks related injuries occur between June the 20 and July the 20."
"I encourage everyone to put safety first and follow the laws of your state, city, or county in the purchase and use of fireworks."
"This year, the CPSC is pleased to report there has been a decline in fireworks-related deaths and injuries. Our new report, which is being released today, shows that there were 11 reported fatalities in 2007 and only 7 in 2008. There were nearly 10,000 injuries in 2007 and an estimated 7,000 in 2008."
"This is good news, but we want the numbers to continue to go down – so we are here today to urge families to celebrate with safety."
- Screen reading: "Demonstrations"
- Screen reading: "Baby Dolls with Sparklers (legal in some states)"
- Scene of two baby dolls holding a sparkler which causes their clothes to catch fire.
- Screen reading: "Mannequin with an M-80 in hand (illegal fireworks)"
- Scene of mannequin's hand exploding.
- Screen reading: "Watermelon with M-1000 (illegal fireworks)"
- Scene of watermelon exploding.
- Screen reading: "Watermelon with M-1000 (illegal fireworks) slow motion"
- Scene of watermelon exploding in slow motion.
- Screen reading: "Quickmatch Fuse (professional)"
- Scene of fuse burning very rapidly.
- Screen reading: "Mannequin with Aerial (display fireworks)"
- Scene of mannequin's head directly over the display fireworks, and the head being obliterated.
- Screen reading: "Mannequin with Aerial (display fireworks) slow motion"
- Scene of mannequin's head directly over the display fireworks, and the head being obliterated in slow motion
- Screen reading: "Mannequin in house M-1000 (illegal fireworks)"
- Scene of mannequin and house exploding.
- Screen reading: "Mannequin in house M-1000 (illegal fireworks) slow motion"
- Scene of mannequin and house exploding in slow motion.
- Screen reading: "Mock backyard barbecue setting demonstrating the safe use of consumer fireworks. In the video, children are kept at a distance from fireworks. The fireworks are lit on a flat surface, away from homes, debris and flammable materials. At the completion of the display, fireworks are immediately doused with water."
- Scenes of mock backyard barbecue as described above.
- Screen reading: "If you do decide to set fireworks off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips:
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."
- Screen reading: "* 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."
- Screen reading: "* 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."
- Screen reading: "* • 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."
- Screen reading: "B Roll Press Conference"
- Audio of Chairman Inez Tenenbaum speaking:
"Welcome to a new day for the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and the start of our renewed commitment to protecting the safety of families and children."
- Scenes of a table displaying legal fireworks.
- Scenes of a table displaying banned/illegal fireworks.
- Screen reading: "SPANISH SOUNDBITES, Arlene Flecha, Comision para la Seguridad de los Productos de Consumo de los Estados Unidos"
- Audio of Arlene Flecha speaking:
"Para que las familias tengan una celebración divertida y segura es muy importante que los niños no jueguen con fuegos artificiales y que los adultos conozcan sobre los peligros y precauciones a tomar. Los incidentes que hemos demostrado hoy podrían ocurrir en el patio de su casa."
- End