As a follow to my email last week, we have launched the video. We are launching our public education efforts now, as July 4 quickly approaches. Please view the new video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2Pfil_2a3I), which tells the story of one family’s tragic loss caused by consumer fireworks. We hope you will share this video as we work together to ensure that other families don’t have to experience the same kind of needless loss.  

 This video features Jack and Robin Shannon, who lost their 3-year-old son Michael in 1991 after a lit consumer firework tipped over during a family Independence Day celebration. Young Michael was standing under his dad’s legs more than 40 feet away, but once a legally purchase firework fired, it tipped over. There was no time for Michael’s parents to do anything to protect their boy. The rocket hit Michael in the head. He died several hours later. Sadly, this situation is one more example that there is no safe way to use consumer fireworks.

 Since the tragedy, Michael’s parents and sister Stephanie have dedicated themselves to telling others about the dangers of consumer fireworks. We are proud that they are a part of our efforts this year.

 In addition to placement on You Tube, this moving video is available on the NFPA Web site (www.nfpa.org/fireworks), where information on the dangers of consumer fireworks is also available.

 Please watch the video and share it with your professional contacts, your family, and your friends. Please post it to your Web sites, promote it on your blog, and forward to your member and subscription list. We think it’s that powerful.

 Thank you for your efforts on this. It is a new approach to directly reach consumers to get our message out this year. We will follow-up with each of you shortly to see if you have ideas for other ways to expand the reach of this video. Together, we can help prevent fireworks tragedies.

 We are planning a press event in Massachusetts for June 27th. The Massachusetts fire marshal has agreed to allow us to work with him on an event that will provide both a live demonstration of the dangers associated with consumer fireworks and a platform to talk about the (hopefully) success of the video view numbers. So your part in getting those views on You Tube up is critical. Watch it and rank it. Massachusetts is one of the few remaining states that bans consumer fireworks and is also known across the country for its major fourth of July professional displays, providing us key backdrops.

 We are also doing outreach to North Carolina media outlets because the Shannon family resides their.

 Again, if you would like to send information for us to post or share during press outreach please do so. You are all welcome to come or send representatives to the press event. I will provide more details as it gets closer.

 Thanks.

 Lorraine Carli

Vice President - Communications

National Fire Protection Association

1 Batterymarch Park

Quincy, MA 02169