Remember, remember the fifth of November. Also known as Bonfire night.
In this country, fireworks and bonfire are used to celebrate the 5th November, the anniversary of Guy Fawkes and his failed attempt to blow up Parliament.
Sparklers are often considered a relatively harmless way of allowing very young children to participate in the thrill of fireworks night, however, they are so dangerous. It may surprise you that a sparkler can reach a temperature of up to 2,000°C, 20 times the boiling point of water!
Here are our top ten firework safety tips and also some sparkler safety tips that we hope you will find helpful:
1. Make sure you buy fireworks from reputable retailers. All instructions should be in English and fireworks should conform to British standard BS7114, which should be clearly written on the box
2. Consider attending an organised display, like Downend Round Table Fireworks, far fewer people are injured at professional displays
3. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use one at a time
4. Keep naked flames (including cigarettes) away from fireworks
5. Ensure spectators are sufficiently well back, pay particular attention to the direction of rockets
6. Sparklers cause more injuries than fireworks and get five times hotter than cooking oil. Sparklers should only be used by the over 5’s and they should wear gloves when holding them. They should be held at arms length when lighting and put into a bucket of cold water when finished. Some people like to put the sparkler in a carrot so it is easier for children to grip.
7. Never use an accelerant, petrol or methylated spirits to start bonfires
8. Site bonfires away from sheds and fences and check the wind direction before lighting
9. Visit ROSPA for more information and some great video clips on firework safety
10. Spare a thought for pets – it is estimated that nearly half the dogs in the UK are scared of fireworks, visit the RSPCA for some great advice on fireworks safety for pets. Where possible, keep pets indoors.
If you are going to a Firework/Bonfire event (either private or public), here are a few points to remember:
Do not drink alcohol if setting off fireworks or handling sparklers
Follow the instructions on each firework/sparkler
Light at arms length, using a taper and stand well back.
Never go near a firework that has been lit – even if it has not 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.
And most of all, enjoy yourselves (safely).
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