RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
May 29, 2002
SHOCK FIREWORK FIGURES SPARK JUBILEE PARTIES FEAR
An urgent Jubilee weekend firework warning was issued by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today as new figures revealed a shock increase in the number of firework casualties.
Accidents around Bonfire Night 2001 were 40 per cent up on the year 2000, and were the worst statistics since 1995, it has just been announced.
Among the most worrying figures with the Jubilee weekend in mind were a rise in street accidents of 58 per cent and a jump in injuries at family parties of 42 per cent.
The total number of people hurt, according to new Department of Trade and Industry figures, was 1,362, with accidents involving the under 18s - the most likely group to fool with fireworks - going up from 557 to 787.
Sarah Colles, RoSPA Home Safety Adviser, said: “These figures are extremely worrying as we believe many people may be planning to use fireworks at their Jubilee parties this weekend.
“It is vital that everyone follows the firework code and that adults do not allow children to play with fireworks. Fireworks should only be sold to people aged 18 or over, but there is no safety benefit in the restrictions if friends and relatives pass fireworks on to youngsters.
“Fireworks will not be the only problem this weekend and parents must keep a close watch on their children so that they do not wander off during garden parties, street parties and barbecues – all of which are likely to be extremely popular in the next week.
“We urge people to check where their children are and what they are doing. For instance, it is often not realised that 80 per cent of children who drown in garden ponds die while at other people’s homes.
“If you are visiting someone, check if there are any hazards of which you are unaware in and around their home. Remember, even after the cooking has finished on a barbecue it will remain hot for a long time and could burn your children if they are playing near it. Barbecues lead to about 1,000 visits to hospital each year.”
The Firework Code and statistics can be found in the Home Safety section of www.rospa.com
