MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2019
For more information:
Prevent Blindness, Taylor Elder: 614-464-2020 ext. 105 [email protected]
Ohio Department of Commerce, Brian Bohnert: 614-752-7179 [email protected]
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, 614-355-0495 [email protected]
FIREWORKS SAFETY NEWS CONFERENCE
Latest Fireworks Injury Data & Forecast for Fireworks Season Released
Columbus, OH – Information on the dangers of backyard fireworks will be released at a news conference held on Tuesday, July 2. Members of the Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition and fire safety officials from the State Fire Marshal’s Office will speak.
The 2018 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Injury Report will also be released which includes the most recent data on fireworks injuries and deaths in the United States.
In 2017, an estimated 12,900 people were sent to the emergency room for treatment of fireworks-related injuries and an estimated 8,643 were treated during a one-month period around the Fourth of July Holiday. Nearly 50% of injuries were to bystanders and 36% to children under 15 years of age. Speakers will caution and educate Ohioans about the dangers of backyard fireworks.
All media are invited.
Please contact Taylor Elder at [email protected] or 614-464-2020 x105 to RSVP.
WHO: The Ohio Fireworks Safety Coalition, Prevent Blindness, Center for Injury Research and Policy and the Department of Emergency Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of State Fire Marshal, Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center and Fireworks Injury Victim
WHAT: Fireworks Safety News Conference
WHEN: Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at 10 a.m.
WHERE: The Ohio Statehouse, Ladies’ Gallery, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215
SPEAKERS:
- Sherry Williams, President & CEO, the Ohio Affiliate of Prevent Blindness
- Dr. Sarah Denny, Emergency Medicine Physician, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- Josh Hobbs, Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau Chief, State Fire Marshal’s Office
- Eric Rathburn, Fireworks Injury Victim
- Kaye Dickson, Director, Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center
