There is no reason why Fireworks Night can't be enjoyed by all. However, as someone on the receiving end of an explosion related accident, I can't help but stress that fireworks may be fun BUT they are also unpredictable, explosive devices.
A factsheet from the Child Accident Prevention Trust has some alarming statistics on it.
*Great Britain - in the four weeks surrounding Bonfire Night 2001, 1362 people
were treated in hospital casualty departments after an accident involving a
firework.
*685 children under 16 were treated in hospital for injuries caused by fireworks.
*Many more boys than girls were injured by fireworks– particularly in the 12 to 15 age group.
* Sparklers burn at a temperature of approx 2000 degrees! They cause a large number of accidents with young children being particularly at risk.
*Common injuries are to the hands (34%), face (12%), and eyes (17%)
*Over 60 per cent of injuries require ongoing treatment from a GP or hospital
and may leave permanent scarring.
Fireworks and bonfires must be treated sensibly and with caution. There is nothing wrong with being careful. It is not pathetic or silly. It takes seconds for an accident to happen and YEARS to heal from it.
There is a fireworks safety website but most of the advice found here are things you already know. They are common sense. Unfortunately, common sense evades some people.
1 Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves, have a bucket of cold water to put them into, hot end first. Do not drop them on the ground. Do not pick up a sparkler from the ground.
2 Never give sparklers to a child under 5
3 Buy fireworks marked BS 7114
4 Keep fireworks in a closed box
5 Follow the instructions on each firework
6 Light them at arm’s length using a taper
7 Stand well back
8 Never go back to a lit firework
9 Never put fireworks in your pocket
10 Never throw fireworks
11 Keep pets indoors
Bonfire safety is also common sense.
*If, after careful consideration, you do decide to have a bonfire, make one person responsible for it, from early planning to final clearing up.Don’t site it too near your display or firework storage area.
*Never use flammable liquids like paraffin or petrol to get it going as this can result in uncontrolled spread of fire or explosion.
Check immediately before lighting that there’s no animal or even a young child hidden inside.
*Never put fireworks on a bonfire, even if they’re dud.
*Don’t burn dangerous rubbish (e.g. aerosols, paint tins or foam-filled furniture).
Remove any rubbish from your bonfire area in advance so there’s nothing that can be thrown onto the fire on the night.
So careful people, careful. Skin grafts are not fun.
Lecture over.
http://www.b48s.org.uk/downloads/safety/CAPT%20Firework%20Factsheet.pdf
http://www.fireworksafety.co.uk/
Safe firework fun, a cute site for kids. http://www.welephant.co.uk/bonfirestory000.htm
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/InYourHome/Escapingandrecoveringfromafire/DG_180786
http://www.fireservice.co.uk/safety/bonfires
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