With bonfire night fast approaching, National Accident Helpline is urging people that are planning on holding their own firework display to ensure that the correct firework safety measures are put in place to prevent avoidable injuries.
Across the country, millions of people will be either be attending or holding their own firework displays and National Accident Helpline is keen to ensure that correct firework safety measures are in place so that injuries can be avoided.
Firework rockets can reach speeds of 150 miles an hour and a sparkler can be know to reach temperatures of 2,000°C. That makes them 20 times hotter than boiling water and would you believe, five times the temperature of cooking oil.
National Accident Helpline also point out that, according to The Eyecare Trust, “every year 10 people in the UK lose their sight and 300 suffer serious eye injuries as a result of accidents caused by fireworks”. In 2005 (the last year in which statistics were recorded) the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) found that almost 1,000 people were injured by fireworks.
Beth Powell, consumer director at National Accident Helpline, said: “These figures are concerning and clearly show that more needs to be done to reduce the number of avoidable accidents. Bonfire night should be a fun and exciting time of year, as long as everyone takes care and follows the Firework Safety Code.”
The RoSPA Firework Safety Code:
1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable
2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time
3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary
4. Light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back
5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit
7. Don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire
10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving
Beth added: “We understand that bonfire night is a great opportunity to celebrate with your family and friends, but sadly accidents do happen, and if anyone does suffer a firework injury that could have been prevented, contact National Accident Helpline.”