Halloween Safety

Firework Safety

Article 3

All adults should do what is best for you. When

adults make decisions, they should think about

how their decisions will affect children.

Article 6

You have the right to be alive.

Article 19

You have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, in body or mind.

Despite annual safety warnings, firework celebrations still end in painful injuries for too many people, including very young children. This was the message delivered by Police Constable Mary, Police Constable Christine and Fire Officer Liam to the boys and girls at our Hallowe’en Assembly.

Yet fireworks can be great fun for families, not just around Hallowe’en Night but New Year’s Eve and sometimes Birthday Parties.

Injury figures support the advice that the safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a large public display - far fewer people are injured here than at smaller family or private parties.

But if you intend having a firework party at home, you can make the occasion fun and safe for everyone by following the Firework Code, as well as some sparkler safety tips.

Only adults should deal with setting up firework displays, the lighting of fireworks and the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used. Children and young people should be supervised, and watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance. Parents should follow these top tips for a safer fireworks party:

• Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable
• Only buy fireworks which carry the CE mark, keep them in a closed box and use them one at a time
• 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
• Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
• Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
• Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire
• Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
• Pets often get very frightened by fireworks, so watch out for them too. You might want to keep all your pets indoors and close all the curtains.

Sparkler safety

• Never put them in your pocket
• Never pick one up off the floor
• Make sure an adult is always present
• Light them one at a time
• Wear gloves
• Hold them at arm's length
• When it goes out, put the hot end in a bucket of water. Otherwise it could still burn you.