Fireworks and bonfire evenings can provide fun and entertainment for families at a time of year when the evenings are rather dark and gloomy. They literally light up the sky. As long as everyone follows the right safety procedures and remembers that fireworks can be dangerous if misused, a good, safe time may be enjoyed by everyone.
Yet despite annual safety warnings, Bonfire Night week still ends in disaster for far too many families. Last year, nearly 1,140 people were treated in accident and emergency departments in England, Scotland and Wales during the firework season. And the biggest increase in firework related injuries (42 per cent) occurred at family or private parties.
So learn what to do so you can protect yourself and your family and friends.
Safety precautions
Sparklers
These are often viewed as being harmless but they do burn at fierce temperatures. Sparklers should not be given to anyone under the age of five. To a young child, the heat from a sparkler is equivalent to the heat from a welding torch.
Safety rules for sparklers
Never give them to young children under five.
Always wear gloves with sparklers, preferably leather ones.
Hold it at arm's length while an adult lights it for you.
Never wave it about near someone else as you could burn them.
Never hold a baby in your arms when you are holding a sparkler.
When the sparkler has finished, put it into a bucket of cold water (hot end first) straight away and leave it there.
Pets
Animals do not like bonfires or fireworks. The flames and noise upsets them. They should always be kept safely indoors. Make sure that they cannot get out through open windows and doors. It is best to keep the curtains closed too and it may be necessary to keep them indoors for several nights around. Get more advice on looking after your pet at this time of year.
Top Ten Safety Code for Adults
Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used.
Remember fireworks are mini-explosives dressed up in colourful packaging - they are not toys.
John Woodhead, Chairman of the British Firework Association said: "Only buy fireworks from a recognised retailer, take advice and allow for the size of your firing site when making your selection, make sure there is good supervision on the night and be a good neighbour and let those around you know the 'light up' time in advance. They may even want to watch!"
When buying your fireworks make sure you only buy fireworks marked BS7114 with the Kitemark.
Plan your firework 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.
Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks except when ready to
Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials. Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back.
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.
Don't drink while setting off fireworks
Iain Anderson, Chairman of The Eyecare Trust says: "Eye damage caused by fireworks is often severe and can lead to permanently reduced vision or even blindness, so this year the Trust is urging people to take extra care - especially the under 18 year olds who are most at risk of injury.
If anyone in your party does suffer a firework eye injury: Seek medical attention immediately, even for seemingly mild injuries. Quick action can minimise long-term damage.
Do not rub or rinse the injured eye, or apply any ointments to the eye area. If you do, it could increase the damage and make it more difficult for a specialist to provide treatment.
If you're going to light a bonfire, by following a few tips you can keep yourself safe. Bonfires can get out of control if you are not careful.
Don't light them if it's windy.
Build your bonfire well clear of buildings, garden sheds, fences and hedges.
Never use flammable liquids to start the fire, and never burn dangerous rubbish like aerosol cans, paint tins, foam furniture or batteries.
Keep a bucket of water or a hosepipe handy in case you need it.
Before you light the bonfire check that there are no children or animals hiding inside and that they are a safe distance away.
Don't leave bonfires unattended. An adult should supervise it until everything has been burnt. If the bonfire has to be left, damp it down with water.
If you're having a firework display, light the bonfire afterwards so there's no risk of sparks or heat from the fire setting off the fireworks. Never put fireworks on the fire.
Changes to the law
In addition to the dangers from fireworks there are also some legal issues that you should be aware of. In the last few years the law around fireworks was tightened up to help protect against accidents. The new rules include a curfew, a ban on under-18s having fireworks in the streets and a maximum noise limit on certain fireworks.
The Police now have the power to issue on the spot £80 fines for people who break the rules. For the most serious firework offences, the police have the power to prosecute offenders with a fine of up to £5,000 and/or six months in prison.
So to ensure you don't get fined or jailed here are the rules:
It is illegal for under-18s to have fireworks in public places
Members of the public are banned from possessing 'category four' professional fireworks, the largest most powerful type of fireworks used for public displays
Air bombs and mini rockets are prohibited from being supplied to the public
Retailers have to actively check a customer's age if there is any doubt they are under 18, as is the case with cigarettes and alcohol
A national curfew banning the use of fireworks between 11pm and 7am, aside from a later start on 5 November (midnight) 31 December, Chinese New Year and Diwali night (1am).
A noise limit of 120 decibels for category 3 fireworks, the largest and most powerful fireworks available to the public
This is in addition to the old laws which say:
It is illegal to sell fireworks to under 18s
All fireworks for sale to the general public must comply with the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 and British Standard (BS 7114)
Retailers can sell fireworks all year round without a license, although a code of practice aims to control their sale to a four-week period around 5 November.
Bangers, aerial shells, shells in mortar, aerial maroons, maroons in mortar and other fireworks of erratic flight are illegal
You should also make sure you are insured under your household insurance should the worst occur - to you, your property or a guest at your firework party. Check out our useful article here.
Advice compiled from RoSPA Guide to firework safety and the London Fire Brigade and the Department of Trade and Industry.
