A child in Northwest Miami-Dade, 2-year-old Justin, is currently in the hospital after accidentally shooting himself with a flare gun. His father, Lazaro Perez Hernandez, shared that Justin is doing okay despite suffering injuries to his finger and burns to his chest. The incident occurred while Justin was in the backyard with his father cleaning the family boat. Justin got a hold of the flare gun from the boat’s safety kit and set it off accidentally.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene and airlifted Justin to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center. The loud shot of the flare gun was captured by a neighbor’s Ring camera, adding to the dramatic nature of the incident. Justin’s grandfather, Raul, expressed his shock at the situation, emphasizing the importance of parental supervision.
The Florida Department of Children and Families visited the family’s home to ensure the child’s safety. While Perez Hernandez will not face any charges, he is urging other parents to be cautious and keep dangerous items out of reach of children. The Miami-Dade Police ruled the incident as an accident with no negligence involved, considering the flare gun as an incendiary device rather than a firearm.
Despite the scare, Justin is expected to be discharged from the hospital either Friday night or early Saturday morning. This incident serves as a reminder for parents to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent similar accidents in the future. Child safety should always be a top priority, and keeping potentially harmful items secure is crucial in ensuring a child’s well-being. Let’s all take this as a lesson and make sure to keep our little ones safe at all times.
