Stay Fire-Safe This Summer

Every so often, we over at Rich Fire like to remind you of the risks of fires when it comes to summer and cookouts. While we deal with the installation of fire sprinklers and other indoor fire prevention systems, we still like to educate the public on the importance of staying vigilant when you’re around fire no matter if you’re indoors and outdoors.

Earlier this month, many of you indulged in Fourth of July celebrations. While most of you were safe and no harm was done, others were not so lucky, such as football star Jason Pierre-Paul of the New York Giants. In this Sb Nation article, Ricky O’Donnell writes, “New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul had his right index finger amputated after a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July. Pierre-Paul was previously reported to have burns on his palms and three fingers, and nerve damage to one finger.”

Fireworks are obviously a hit or a miss, but you need to be careful when lighting them. They are pieces of fire and can dramatically alter the course of your life, as it did with Jason Pierre-Paul. What seemed like a promising career is now muddled in uncertainty and doubt. Should Jason Pierre-Paul been playing with fireworks in the first place? Probably not, but outside of giving advice on how to properly handle them, there’s nothing officials can really do to prevent such tragedies from happening.

Believe it or not, Jason Pierre-Paul was not the only football player to suffer fireworks injuries; cornerback C.J. Wilson of the Tampa Bay Bucs lost two fingers. And we’re not even mentioning the non-football players who were injured during the holiday weekend. Listen, all we’re saying is that when celebrating this summer, keep a level head when dealing with fire.