DOS
July 03, 2019
|
|
New York State Division of Consumer Protection Offers New York Consumers Safe Summer Celebration Tips This 4th of JulyThe Independence Day Celebration Should be Safe and joyful for Everyone |
|
New York Division of Consumer Protection today reminded New Yorkers to keep safe while celebrating the Independence Day. The celebration of the 4th of July is a time-honored summer tradition of family outdoor fun, grilled food, and fireworks. However, it could be a dangerous time if we do not take the necessary precautions to have a safe and enjoyable time. The New York Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) is the New York State designee and partner of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)r in its year-round efforts to educate consumers to help prevent deaths and injuries. Between, 2013 and 2018, the CPSC received reports of 121 fireworks-related deaths. In 2018, the CPSC estimated 9,100 fireworks-related, emergency department-treated injuries, with 62 percent of them occurring between June 22 and July 22. “Independence Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate our nation and enjoy time with family and friends,” said Rossana Rosado Secretary of State who oversees the NYS Division of Consumer Protection. “4th of July fun can quickly turn dangerous when celebrating with fireworks or grilling during cookouts. Thus, I encourage all New Yorkers to choose a safe, fun holiday by heeding the safety tips offered by the Division of Consumer Protection.” New York State permits the sale of sparkling devices by registered sellers from June 1 until July 5 annually and allows consumers 18 or older to use sparkling devices. Counties and cities are afforded the ability to enact a law to opt out of the state law. Currently sparkling devices are illegal in the City of New York, and Bronx, Columbia, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Richmond, Schenectady and Suffolk counties. Sparkling devices are ground-based or handheld sparking devices that produce a shower of colored sparks or colored flame, crackling or whistling noise and smoke. They do not launch into the air. Any other types of fireworks including firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinners, and aerial devices are illegal and remain illegal statewide.
Tips for Using Fireworks Safely:
Tips for Using Outdoor Grills Safely: Before lighting the grill do a safety check.
Gas and charcoal grills present a risk of fire and/or carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning that could result in injury or death. Thousands of gas or charcoal grill-related injuries are reported in hospital emergency departments each year. While most of the injuries are burns, a few of the charcoal grill injuries are often related to carbon monoxide. Once the grill’s lit:
To learn more about consumer safety, or to file a marketplace consumer complaint against a business or individual, please contact the Division’s Consumer Helpline at (800) 697-1220 or visit its website at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection. Follow the Division of Consumer Protection on social media at Twitter: @NYSConsumer and Facebook: www.facebook.com/nysconsumer. ###
|
|
###
|