RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
October 5 , 2006
NORTHERN IRELAND FIREWORK CAMPAIGN AS INJURIES RISE
A campaign has started in Northern Ireland schools to reduce accidents involving fireworks following a 56 per cent increase in injuries last year.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and Home Accident Prevention Northern Ireland are joining forces to run a series of firework safety workshops across the province aimed at the high-risk 11-15 age group.
RoSPA staff, doctors, police and environmental health officers will be explaining the dangers of fireworks to pupils.
Janice Bisp, Head of RoSPA Northern Ireland, said: “We are extremely concerned by last year’s figures which show 86 people needing treatment in the five-week Halloween sales period.
“More than half of those hurt were children, who shouldn’t even have fireworks in the first place. They were nearly all boys and many of them received burns to their hands and face.
“Our workshops will demonstrate why young people need to show fireworks more respect. They have to understand they are explosives and not toys, otherwise there will be more people hurt.
“The last time we ran workshops in partnership with other agencies there was a significant reduction in injuries.”
The workshops are being held in schools in Dungannon, Moyle, Belfast, Foyle and Portadown over the next fortnight.
Apart from indoor fireworks and sparklers, it is now illegal to possess, purchase, sell, handle or use other fireworks in Northern Ireland except under licence. The Society is concerned that many people may still be buying from unlicensed traders who may sell fireworks which do not meet accepted safety standards.
RoSPA is also warning parents not to give sparklers to children under five. “Small children tend to reach for the sparkly end causing deep burns to palms and long-lasting injuries,” Janice Bisp said.
The safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a properly organised public display, but if you must have a party at home be sure to follow the firework code to the letter.
The Fireworks Safety Code : Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114; Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks; Keep fireworks in a closed box; Follow the instruction on each firework; Light them at arm’s length, using a taper – stand well back; Never go near a firework that has been lit - even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode; Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them; Always supervise children around fireworks; Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves; Never give sparklers to a child under five.
For more information about firework safety see www.saferfireworks.com
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RoSPA is a registered charity: Registered Charity No: 207823 Patron: Her Majesty the Queen RoSPA Head Office: Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7ST, UK |
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