Girl Injured In Dania Beach Fireworks Mishap
DANIA BEACH (CBS4) - A Dania Beach girl was injured late Sunday night when she was hit by a chunk of concrete when a firework exploded.
The Broward Sheriff's Office said it happened around 11 p.m. in the 4100 block of SW 49th Court. An adult had used a cinder block to stabilize a firework, but when it exploded, it sent shrapnel flying across the yard. Eight year old Akaira McIntyre, who was standing 30 to 40 feet away, was hit in the head by a flying shard.
Paramedics treated her head wound on the scene and then took her to Memorial Regional Hospital.
More than 10,000 fireworks-related injuries are also reported each year, with over half of those occurring to children, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
"If you want to see fireworks, leave it to the professionals," said Sheriff Al Lamberti. "The last thing we want to see is a child burned by a sparkler or lose fingers from fireworks."
There are no legal consumer fireworks in Florida. Sparklers, which are legal, can reach temperatures of 2,000 degrees; hot enough to melt gold and cause serious burns or permanent disfigurement.
