RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
September 22, 2003
FIREWORK WEBSITE TO STOP NORTHERN IRELAND INJURIES
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today launched a new website - www.saferfireworks.com - aimed at reducing the number of firework injuries in Northern Ireland.
Last year, 38 people were injured by fireworks in the province, over the Halloween period. Nearly 75 per cent of these were males, and most were under 20 years old.
Victoria Dunn, Project Officer for RoSPA, said “With the change in legislation last year we did see a 72 per cent decrease in the number injured by fireworks. But sadly most injuries were to hands, faces and eyes, and these are the ones that can leave lasting scars. With the help of our new website we hope to see a further decrease in injuries in 2003.”
Visitors to www.saferfireworks.com will find detailed information about how to organise a successful display, as well as general fireworks safety advice, including buying fireworks, setting up a firing sequence, safety equipment needed, the law and what to do if something goes wrong.
The site has a handy week-by-week checklist for the run-up to Halloween. It is a joint initiative with Home Accident Prevention NI.
It is now illegal to buy fireworks in Northern Ireland without a licence - fines of up to £5000 can be imposed for breaking the law. A licence costs around £30 from the Northern Ireland Office and the application form can be downloaded from www.saferfireworks.com .
“The safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a properly organised public display,” Victoria Dunn said. “Your local council can tell you if there is one in your area. These are usually really spectacular and are guaranteed not to be a damp squib!
“If you must stage your own display, the best way to keep safe is to buy from an authorised retailer. Fireworks bought from market stalls or unlicensed premises are usually dangerous and don’t conform to British Standard. If you suspect that a retailer is selling fireworks illegally, please contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and talk to them in confidence. ”
For further information contact RoSPA on tel. 02890 501160, fax. 02890 501164
