With Diwali and Bonfire night coming up, many people will be looking forward to attending organised events or planning their own celebrations at home.
Whether you’re planning to celebrate the ‘Festival of lights’ or attend a fireworks display for Bonfire Night, it’s important to consider the dangers fireworks can pose to prevent accidents and injuries that could last a lifetime.
The safest way to enjoy Bonfire Night and Diwali is by going to organised events and we would always encourage people to enjoy these rather than holding their own celebrations. If you are holding a home display, it’s vital that you make safety your priority.
We want to make sure everyone enjoys the festivities safely by reminding people across our communities to have fun but always follow the firework code.
The Firework Code:
- Fireworks are explosives and should always be kept away from children and pets and stored in a dry environment, away from any sources of heat or ignition.
- Only buy fireworks from a licensed seller, keep them 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.
Sparkler safety
Sparklers are often seen as a relatively harmless way of allowing very young children to participate in the thrill of fireworks night – THIS IS NOT TRUE – a sparkler can reach temperatures of 20 times the boiling point of water.
Never give sparklers to children under the age of five. Make sure that older children wear gloves, hold the sparkler at arm’s length and ALWAYS have a bucket of water nearby to put the used sparklers in – hot end down.
Before they explode, read the code!
A burn injury is for life so it’s vital that you act quickly should the worst happen…
If you or someone you know does suffer a burn:
- Move the casualty away from the fire.
- Cool the burn for at least twenty minutes under cold running water. This will help to reduce any pain and swelling.
- Once the burn has been cooled, cover it with clean cling film. This helps to reduce the risk of infection and helps to reduce the pain by stopping the cold air getting to the burn.
- Do not burst any blisters.
- If the burn is bigger than the casualty’s palm or is deep, call 999. You should also call 999 if the burns are on the casualty’s face, hands or feet.
- Treatment advice for minor burns can be accessed through the NHS 111 Service or through your local urgent treatment centre.
Remember, remember… it is illegal:
- To set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am (Bonfire Night is extended until midnight).
- To cause unnecessary suffering to animals with fireworks.
- To throw or set off a firework in the street, onto a road or in a public place.
- For a member of the public to possess a ‘display’ style firework (category 4 fireworks).
- To store fireworks for private use for more than 14 days