Firework Safety

The Firework Code

Fireworks are great fun to watch, but every year lots of young people get hurt in firework accidents. Make sure you're not one of them by following tips on firework safety!

• Never play with fireworks - they are explosives and can hurt you
• Only adults should handle and light fireworks
• When you are watching fireworks, stand well back
• Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn't gone off, it could still explode

If you are given sparklers

• Hold them one at a time
• Always wear gloves
• Hold sparklers at arm's length
• When a sparkler goes out, DON'T TOUCH IT! It could still burn you, so put it hot end down into a bucket of water

                                                                        A Glimpse of colour
                                          A streak of tail
                                             They crash upon you
With a scream, a zoom, a wail

Fantastic sights, streaks of light
Hints of dreams vanish from sight

 Beware the fireworks for they burn
                                                                                Admire their beauty but never turn
                                                                                   To throw or touch their firey glare
                                                                                    As they will bite back to those who dare!
 

Firework safety tips

Sparklers are often viewed as being harmless but they do burn at fierce temperatures of around   2000°C. 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.

Figures show that more children than adults are injured by fireworks. Over the last five years over 70% of people treated in hospital for firework injuries were under the age of 16.

Children under five

• Never give sparklers to under fives.
• Never hold a baby in your arms when you are holding a sparkler.
• Always supervise young children closely.

All children

• Supervise all children carefully and keep them well back from the bonfire and fireworks.
• Always light sparklers one at a time.
• Show older children how to hold sparklers - away from their body and at arm's length – teach them never to wave it about near someone else as they could burn them.
• Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes that could catch alight easily, and give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers.
• When the sparkler has finished, put it into a bucket of cold water straight away and leave it there.
• Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
• Steer clear of alcohol if you're running a display or looking after children.