RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
October 31, 2001
FIREWORKS GAMBLE IS A BAD BET - RoSPA
Thousands of families will gamble with their safety over the next few days by failing to plan back-garden firework displays properly, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today.
Hastily prepared bonfire parties are the ones most likely to end in disaster, RoSPA said. Out of 972 firework accidents last year, 421 happened at family or private parties.
David Jenkins, RoSPA Product Safety Adviser said: “The best advice is to go to a properly organised public display. They are much safer – but we know that not everyone can attend them.
“Far too many people still let off fireworks at home without recognising that they are dealing with explosives and planning accordingly.
“It is little wonder that things go wrong if people buy fireworks at the last minute, rush home with them and start lighting them without reading the instructions and without considering the safety implications.”
He said people needed to check if their gardens were big enough for the fireworks they were buying. They should follow the firework code to the letter.
Supervision of children was paramount. More than half of last year’s accident involved children under 16 – even though it is illegal to sell them to anyone under 18.
Rushing could also lead to bonfire tragedies. Accelerants like petrol or meths should NEVER be used to get the bonfire going – but people were often tempted to try them if they had not left enough time to start the fire or if it was wet.
“Good advance planning should mean you can have a perfectly safe and enjoyable bonfire party,” David Jenkins said. “Poor planning means you will be gambling with your safety – and that’s a bad bet.”
Other key points in the RoSPA firework code are: Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time; Read the instructions, using a torch if necessary; Keep naked flames away from fireworks except when ready to set one off; Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back; Never return to a firework once it has been lit; Don’t put fireworks in pockets or throw them; Direct rockets away from spectators; Make sure the fire is out before leaving.
