Firework and Bonfire Safety

Last year in Great Britain, in the four weeks surrounding bonfire night, over 1300 people were treated in hospital casualty departments after an accident involving a firework. Over half these cases were children under 16 years, with many more boys than girls being injured. This was an increase of over 35% on the previous year.
Over 40% of firework accidents happened at a family or private party, with a further 30% the result of casual incidents in the street or other public place and just over 10% happening at large, public displays. Rockets caused more accidents than any other firework. In 2001, nearly one in ten firework accidents were caused by sparklers with 70% of these occurring at a family or private party. So overall, more accidents happened at home than anywhere else and children are most at risk.
Make sure the fireworks you buy are meant for home use and are suitable for the size of your garden and are marked with British Standard number BS 7114. Follow the Firework Code and choose one person to be responsible for your fireworks - that person should not drink any alcohol before or during the display. Make sure you know what to do in an emergency and know the basic first aid for cooling and protecting a burn.
Safety with sparklers
- Sparklers are not suitable for children under five - they cannot understand how to use them safely.
- Wear gloves when holding sparklers and keep them at arm's length away from the body.
- Children over five can safely hold sparklers but an adult should light them and supervise. Make sure children do not run with sparklers or wave them around near anyone else.
- As soon as a sparkler is finished, plunge it hot end down into a bucket of water.
- Never hold a baby or small child and a sparkler at the same time.
The Department of Trade and Industry runs an annual firework safety campaign over the bonfire night period. Call 0870 1502 500 or visit www.dti.gov.uk for further