Burn Attorneys Texas

County issues fireworks, burn bans June 14

It has been so hot and dry that San Jacinto County Judge Fritz Faulkner on Wednesday, June 14, issued “a local disaster declaration” that Gov. Rick Perry extended until 7 a.m., July 5, which “bans the sale, use and discharge of all fireworks in San Jacinto County.” The declaration “was issued pursuant to Section 418.108 of the Texas Government Code.”

The San Jacinto County Commissioners Court also ordered the extension on the same day that the judge issued the disaster declaration.

Additionally, the San Jacinto County Commissioners Court, during the same 2 p.m. follow up to the 9 a.m. June 14 regular session, extended for 60 days the county’s ban on outdoor burning in unincorporated areas due to the “severe drought and fire danger.”

The San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Department is enforcing both bans, ticketing for each misdemeanor, if necessary.

The judge’s June 14 statement noted a scientific measure of weather conditions that triggered the disaster declaration. It read, in part, “According the Texas Forest Service website, the Keetch Byram Drought Index, the drought index for San Jacinto County is near 800 (800 being the max).”

Prior to the county disaster declaration, the City of Point Blank had banned the sale and use of fireworks, consistent with the county’s burn ban. The City of Coldspring also had issued an indefinite ban. Had each city not enacted a measure, the sweeping disaster declaration would have prevailed anyway because it applies, under state law, to incorporated and to unincorporated areas.

The City of Shepherd will not hold a fireworks display during its July 2 scheduled Independence Day weekend celebration. Moreover, no outdoor burning of any sort is allowed, a restriction that applies to any device with an open flame, such as a gas grill or a barbecue pit.

A ban on all fireworks is a bitter pill for an industry heavily dependent on Fourth of July holiday sales.

“I’m totally for the ban of the missiles and the stick rockets because, like you said, they go off over there. And who knows what they’re doing when they get over there?” fireworks vendor Jared Westbook told the court, during its regular June 14 morning session. At the time Faulkner recognized him, commissioners had discussed the relative fire hazard of certain fireworks.

“The other fireworks? They’re regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and fireworks are not even listed in the top 100 most dangerous products,” Westbrook said. “They’re not like they were when we were kids. They’re made to go up and dissipate before they hit the ground. You still have to use common sense. Folks need to be aware of how dry we are in spring conditions.

Ideas To Prevent Burn Injury | Texas Burn Lawyer

. Smoke alarms should be installed on every floor of the home and near the bedrooms or other areas where people sleep. Test the alarms monthly and keep extra batteries around so that they can be easily and readily replaced at the first sign of need.

*Do not set the temperature of your water heater higher than 120 degrees. This will help to prevent scalding injuries.

*Sit down as a family and create an escape plan in case of fire. Make sure you develop several exit scenarios for each room and agree on a place you will meet once you are out of the house. Then practice the escape plan occasionally so that it is not unfamiliar should a fire in the home arise.

Other ideas? Keep lighters and matches stored in top cupboards and out of the hands of children. Only use the back burners of your stove when cooking. Cover electrical sockets and keep children away from grills when cooking.

Practice safety habits – and keep a first aid kit well stocked and handy in case of a burn injury.

Greg Baumgartner is a Houston burn injury lawyer and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping personal injury victims seek civil justice. If you would like to speak with a Houston accident lawyer call the Baumgartner firm.

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