Top Tips For Firework Safety
Despite the warnings in the run up to bonfire night and the festive season, firework celebrations can still end in painful injuries for too many people, including very young children.
Fireworks can of course be great fun, whether it's on bonfire night, New Years Eve or any other celebrations, but this fun can soon come to an end if fireworks are not used safely.
Injury figures show us that the safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a large public and properly controlled display. But, if you’re planning fireworks at home, you can make the occasion fun and safe for everyone by following the Firework Code, as well as some sparkler and bonfire safety tips too.
Firework Code
It's only adults who should be involved with setting up firework displays, lighting fireworks and disposing of fireworks safely once they have been used. Children and young people should be supervised, and kept watching and enjoying fireworks from a safe distance.
These top tips will help you have a safer fireworks party:
- Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable, and to finish before 11pm.
- Only buy fireworks which carry the CE mark.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
- Don't store fireworks in your home.
- If possible, only buy fireworks on the day you mean to use them.
- 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 if it goes out or doesn't appear to be working.
- Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
- Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
Please also:
- Keep pets safely indoors.
- Don't light fireworks close to other buildings or garden sheds, furniture, fencing or anything else that could catch fire.
- Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire.
- Make sure that your fire is out and your surroundings are safe before going inside.
If you are organising a bigger display on behalf of your family, friends and neighbours, please check the fire service website for guidance. There is advice there that you may not have thought of. For instance, letting the fire service know beforehand that you are planning a bigger event - it is likely to be a busy night for the emergency services - and thinking about where to have your event carefully. It should not be near people's homes, or other private buildings where it could be dangerous or damage could be caused. There are also certain fireworks that only professionally organised events can use. If you use land we own for your display, please ask people to take their own rubbish home and tidy up any mess that's left behind. Burn marks can also spoil the landscape.
Have fun and enjoy yourselves but stay safe this bonfire night. Keep your home and your family safe.
One last point to remember is that not everyone celebrates bonfire night or likes fireworks, so please respect your neighbours and their homes and possessions by acting responsibly.
Thank you.
