Get that rocket out of your pocket and avoid spoiling the party with an
accident on Bonfire Night by following the fireworks code, warns the Royal
Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
Fireworks are
explosives and can cause life-threatening injuries, so as the firework season gets underway, the safety charity is reminding
people to make sure that it is just the fireworks that go off with a bang and
prevent injuries.
Every year, RoSPA hears about people -
including children and young people - being injured by fireworks - about half of
these injuries happen at family or private parties and about a quarter in the
street or other public place.
Data collected across Britain in previous
years shows that, on average, around 1,000 people visit A&E for treatment
of a firework-related injury in the four weeks around Bonfire Night, with half
of the injuries being suffered by under-18s.
It is important
that families have the necessary safety preparations in place if they are
thinking of staging a fireworks party at home.
To avoid injuries
on Bonfire Night, RoSPA is reminding families to follow these simple steps:
- Plan your
fireworks display to make it safe and enjoyable
- Keep fireworks in
a closed box and use them one at a time
- Read and follow the instructions on each
firework using a torch if necessary
- Light the firework at arm's length with a
taper and stand well back
- Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away
from fireworks
- Never return to a firework once it has been
lit
- Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw
them
- Direct any rocket fireworks well away from
spectators
- Never use paraffin
or petrol on a bonfire
- Make sure that the
fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
Sheila Merrill, RoSPA’s public health adviser, said:
“Bonfire Night is a time for celebration so to avoid accidents, families should
ensure that fireworks are treated with respect and are handled only by adults. Fireworks are not
toys and should only be used in accordance with the firework code. Each year,
over half of all fireworks injuries are suffered by children.
“The safest place to enjoy fireworks is at
properly-organised displays. If you are organising a fireworks party we urge
people to make sure they plan ahead so that their event is safe and enjoyable
for their guests.”
For more information about firework safety, including
plenty of safety tips for holding a firework display at home, visit www.saferfireworks.com