Hey guys! As it’s bonfire tonight and all tomorrow, I thought it would be best for me to create a quick wee guide about the dangers of fireworks and some simple safety precautions you can take to ensure you and your friends/family are all kept safe whilst having fun at the same time, this Guy Fawks night!


First of all, a wee fact that I think will maybe shock a lot of you:

“Last year over 1362 people required hospital treatment from accidents involving fireworks.”

I feel this figure alone, speaks for itself and completely outlines how dangerous fireworks are and the vast amount of people who are injured by them each year.

Now, we all know that bonfire night is great fun and we all love to take part in the different displays that go on, and a good majority of people prefer to just stand back and watch, whilst maybe holding a wee sparkler. However, did you know that sparklers cause more injuries than air-bombs, bangers, rockets and roman candles combined? Also, three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blow-torch. This fact is actually quite scary, as so many people are given the chance to just stand waving their sparkler around, pretty unaware of the dangers actually involved and how hot it actually is.

Therefore, if your planning on having any sparklers at your display this year, or if you are holding one, then I think the following tips will be useful for you and help keep everyone involved safe:

Never give sparklers to the under 5s - they will not understand how to use them safely.


* Always supervise children using sparklers.
* Give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers.
* Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes - they may catch light.
* Show children how to hold sparklers - away from their body and at arm's length.
* Teach children not to wave sparklers near anyone else or run while holding them.


If sparklers are going to be a part of your display, I urge you to place them in a bucket of cold water once finished with them. That way it prevents any further re-light, or causing of fire.

Surprisingly, most firework accidents are actually caused at family back-garden displays closely followed by incidents in the street. This just shows how even though a lot of people would think their safe as their display is monitored by family etc., accidents are actually more common and frequent to happen.

Half of all firework accidents happen to children under the age of 16. and more than 60 under 5s went to hospital in 1997 following a firework accident. Personally, I feel this fact is shocking. Under 16’s tend to be the ones who use fireworks most and get involved with them, and it’s surprisingly scary how the younger generation are those getting involved and injured due to fireworks.

It is important you try and follow ‘The Firework Code’ when using fireworks this year.

The firework code in the UK is a list of firework 'commandments' designed to ensure safety. They are:

* Use only fireworks marked to ** 7114.
* Keep all fireworks in a closed box. It should preferably be made of metal or plastic and kept tightly sealed.
* Follow the instructions on the firework closely.
* Use a taper and light fireworks one at a time at arm's length.
* Stand well back.
* Never go back to a firework that has been lit2.
* Never put fireworks in your pockets.
* Never throw a firework.
* Keep pets indoors.
* Don't drink alcohol if setting off fireworks

Although a lot of these are general common sense, below is also some quick handy tips that could help:

* Wear safety clothing - goggles, gloves and an apron.
* Have an extinguisher handy; a bucket of water or sand or a pressurised fire extinguisher.
* Keep a battery-powered torch with you so you can read the instructions on firework.
* Try to keep the fireworks away from any buildings or sheds. Placing them at the end of the garden usually suffices.
* Don't supply fireworks to children under 18 - it's the law3.
* Don't use a milk bottle to hold your firework. Plant the wooden stem firmly in the ground.


In the unforunate case that an emergency occurs:
  1. Cool the burn or scald with cold water for at least 10 minutes.
  2. Cut around material sticking to the skin - don't pull it off.
  3. Don't touch the burn or burst any blisters.
  4. Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material - cling film is ideal - to prevent infection.
  5. If clothing catches fire, get the person to stop, drop to the floor and roll them in heavy material like a curtain.
  6. Get advice from your doctor or accident and emergency department at your local hospital.
  7. If you are having a bonfire, make sure that the fire is away from fences, garden, sheds, and properties.
  8. Never let your children near the fire and try to cordon off the area.
  9. Never light the fire using flammable liquids such as petrol and paraffin.
  10. Consider the wind direction and other properties nearby such as thatched roofs etc.
  11. Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy.
  12. Never leave a bonfire unattended.
  13. Make sure there are no aerosols that may explode in the fire.
  14. Make sure the fire is extinguished before going back indoors.
  15. Try to go to an organised display in your area.
  16. Have a safe and happy night.

Basically, if you are going to any firework displays, or your even holding your own wee one at your own house or whatever, then it is vital you put yours and everyone else’s safety first. The simple techniques and tips above are generally all common sense, really easy but most importantly effective. It’s little things like those mentioned that makes the difference, so make sure you can really enjoy yourself tomorrow night by making that extra effort to stay safe, and just have fun!

Also remember we are still taking in your stories and experiences with drugs, so if you have any then check out the other article and send them in to [email protected]his email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

When creating this article, I relied on sources such as the BBC's "Guide to life" (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A2815508) and The National Campaign for Firework Safety (http://www.angelfire.com/co3/NCFS/fireworkcode.html)

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