A Texas family is trying to warn people about the dangers of fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July holiday after their teenage son suffered permanent damage two years ago.
Nate Weston, then 17, set off fireworks in his family’s front yard near Houston for the 2021 holiday.
His father, David, said his son did “everything right” in setting up the explosion and backed off from it.
The fireworks never went off. It exploded in the tube. So what happened was all the pieces exploded. He instinctively went that way, to protect his face and his arm and wrist took most of the trauma,” David said.
David Weston is a paramedic and treated his son – blood gushing from his arm – at the scene before taking him to hospital.
Nate Weston, then 17, set off fireworks in his family’s front yard near Houston for his 2021 vacation
“The bones in his wrist were all but decimated. And the bones in his forearm were both broken,” David said I LOVE.
His son’s arm was permanently damaged, David said.
“If you ask him, he says ‘my future literally exploded in my face,'” he added.
Nate suffered a broken forearm, a lacerated wrist and destroyed the bones in his arm.
Surgeons had to insert two rods into the arm after removing debris from his wrist, according to Kate magazine.
He had to live with artificial skin over the wound for a month before a graft could be performed.
Weston also has limited mobility and can only lift his wrist up to a point. He also suffers from PTSD and the injuries ended his dreams of joining the Navy.
David has since become a prevention education coordinator at Memorial Hermann Hospital.
His father, David, said his son did ‘everything right’ in setting up the explosion and backed off from it
The fireworks never went off. It exploded in the tube. So what happened was all the pieces exploded. He instinctively went that way, to protect his face and his arm and wrist took most of the trauma,” said David
Nate suffered a broken forearm, a lacerated wrist and destroyed the bones in his arm
Weston tries to dissuade people from amateur fireworks, no matter how innocent they seem.
“My advice is to leave it to professionals because you never know what could happen, even if you’re 100 percent safe,” he said.
Dr. Todd Huzar, a burn surgeon at the hospital, says they are as dangerous as using guns without proper training.
“Fireworks are no different than using firearms, there is a risk involved that people don’t always consider,” he said.
He warns people to be careful when using fireworks, but that it may be best not to use them.
Dr. Todd Huzar, a burn surgeon at the hospital, says they are as dangerous as using guns without proper training
Sue Davis, a spokesperson for fireworks company Top Dog, added that “you always want to shoot on an open, level surface so nothing falls over.”
“Don’t mix it with alcohol because it can affect your judgment, it can affect your speed and your ability to get away.” Keep children far away.’
Sue Davis, a spokesperson for fireworks company Top Dog, added that “you always want to shoot on open, level ground so nothing falls over.”
Fireworks are not toys. Any fireworks should be treated as something you should have a lot of respect for. You have to follow directions and follow all safety rules with common sense,” she added.