Local News - Always follow the firework safety code

Wimbledon, Putney, Wandsworth

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Clapham, Battersea, Fulham

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Epsom, Sutton, Cheam

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Kingston

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Always follow the firework safety code

Location: Blogs Local News Kingston
Posted by: Local News Editor	20/10/2007
Statistics show that more children than adults are getting hurt by fireworks, with more than 350 pre-school children receiving treatment in hospital for firework injuries during the last five years. Ted Forsyth, Chief Trading Standards Officer, says: “We want children to enjoy fireworks but they need to know that they can be dangerous if they are not used properly. Each year, over half of all firework injuries are suffered by children. “Anyone putting on a home display should follow the simple steps of the national firework safety code to make sure that everyone has a good time without getting hurt. Remember also that you are not allowed to let fireworks off after 11.00pm (Midnight on Guy Fawkes Night, 5 November).” Follow the code If you are having your own display, ensure that only one person is in charge of fireworks. The person in charge should take all the necessary precautions. Make your preparations in advance, and in daylight. Ensure that you read the instructions in daylight and don’t drink any alcohol until the fireworks have all been discharged. On the night, you will need: a torch; a bucket or two of water ‘just in case’ and to dispose of spent sparklers; eye protection and gloves; a bucket of soft earth to put fireworks in and suitable supports and launchers if you’re setting off rockets. Don’t cut corners just to save money. Always buy fireworks from a reputable shop to make sure that they conform to British Standards. This means that they should have BS 7114 written on the box. Whatever you do, don’t buy fireworks from anywhere you’re not sure about, such as the back of a van or from a temporary, unlicensed stall. Did you know that sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil? Sparklers are not toys and should never be given to a child under five. Some fireworks can only be bought and used by firework professionals (including air bombs, aerial shells, aerial maroons, and mortars etc). These, as well as bangers; mini rockets; fireworks with erratic flight and all Category 4 fireworks, should never be used by the public. Take precautions to protect your pets during the times of the year when fireworks are likely to be set off. The animal charity Blue Cross says that the best thing you can do is to keep your pets indoors. This includes bringing in pets that are normally kept outside, such as rabbits or guinea pigs. Close all of your windows and doors and try to drown out the noise as much as possible and make sure that cats and dogs have name tags on them in case the noise scares them and they run off. Councillor Simon James, Executive Member for Trading Standards, says: “There are different categories of fireworks. Although members of the public can buy and set off most of the fireworks that come under Categories 1 to 3, we suggest that people think very seriously before using the large Category 3 fireworks.” “Category 3 fireworks have caused injury, as well as distress to older people and pets. My advice is that residents should consider using low noise fireworks instead. Always read the instructions carefully and make sure that the fireworks you buy are suitable for the place where you are going to set them off. Of course you could always go instead to a professional display.”

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