SAFETY

With many families enjoying bonfires and fireworks at this time of year, we’ve shared advice from the Children’s Burns Trust to help keep your celebrations safe

This time of year sees the start of many festivals involving fireworks and bonfires – including Diwali on 24 October and Guy Fawkes Night on 5 November. But with many people, including children, hospitalised with firework-related injuries each autumn, it’s important to remember how dangerous fireworks can be.

In the four weeks around Guy Fawkes Night alone, more than 550 children are expected to be taken to A&E, with most injuries occurring at private or family displays. Sparklers are one of the most common causes of injuries, with families often forgetting how dangerous they can be. Burning at around 1,800ºC, they are hot enough to melt metal and should only ever be handled with gloves on. Children under five should never be given sparklers.

Candles and lit pumpkins can also be dangerous at this time of year – especially around decorations and costumes that may catch fire. Battery-powered flameless candles are a safer alternative, although remember that families need to check that the batteries in these are secure.

The Children’s Burns Trust has the following tips to share with families ahead of any celebrations involving fireworks this year:

• Read all the instructions: The box of fireworks will tell you important things such as how far people need to stand back once the firework is lit. Make sure you read all the safety warnings.
  
  
• Buy from licensed sellers: Most shops, including supermarkets, can only sell fireworks on certain dates of the year. If you’re buying them at a different time, you need to visit a specially licensed ship. It’s illegal for under-18s to buy or carry fireworks.
  
  
• Read all the instructions: The box of fireworks will tell you important things such as how far people need to stand back once the firework is lit. Make sure you read all the safety warnings.
  
  
• Buy from licensed sellers: Most shops, including supermarkets, can only sell fireworks on certain dates of the year. If you’re buying them at a different time, you need to visit a specially licensed ship. It’s illegal for under-18s to buy or carry fireworks.
  
  
• Keep pets indoors: Cats and dogs should stay inside.
  
  
• Check your timings: Did you know that you can’t let fireworks off between 11pm and 7am? The only exceptions are Bonfire Night, when the cut off is midnight, and New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year, when the cut off is 1am.
  
  
• Teach children to Stop, Drop and Roll: Do this ahead of events so they know what to do if their clothes catch on fire. Their instinct may be to run, so encourage them to practice stopping, dropping to the ground, covering their face with their hands and rolling over a few times to put out the flames.
  

• Don’t let children help: Children should enjoy fireworks displays from a distance and should not be allowed to handle fireworks, tapers and matches. Preferably, they should watch from inside the house and away from any fireworks that could go astray.
  
  
• Don’t rush things: Families should take their time planning and making sure they are confident and comfortable with their fireworks and that they have the appropriate space in their garden to hold a display.
  
  
• Don’t give sparklers to children under the age of five.
  
  
• Don’t forget that bonfires are dangerous too: If families are having a bonfire, they should be kept away from buildings, sheds, fences and trees. Water and a hosepipe should be kept ready.

Find out more
For more advice on keeping children safe and preventing burns, visit the Children’s Burns Trust website at cbtrust.org.uk.