Fireworks Safety
The Environmental Health and Trading Standards Department is
running a fireworks safety campaign aimed at reducing the number of
injuries caused by misusing fireworks. It is supported by
organisations such as Department of Trade and Industry,
Child Accident Prevention Trust
(CAPT), Fight for Sight and
ROSPA.
The Firework Safety Code
- Only buy fireworks marked with the British Standard BS
7114.
- Always buy from a licensed retailer.
- Keep fireworks in a closed metal box, keep it closed when not
in use.
- Follow the instructions on each firework.
- Light fireworks at arm's length, using a taper, stand well back
and keep others back.
- Never go near a firework that has been lit.
- Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
- Always supervise children around fireworks or a bonfire and
keep pets indoors.
- Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves. Do not give
sparklers to children under five, get rid of used ones in a bucket
of sand or water.
- Stay sober!
- Keep bonfires away from houses, trees, hedges, fences or
sheds.
- Only use domestic fire lighters - never use petrol, paraffin or
other flammable liquids.
- Have one person responsible for setting off fireworks. Make
sure everyone knows who that person is.
Information is available on the following topics:
Copies of the leaflets can be obtained from Environmental Health
and Trading Standards, telephone number (01639) 764311.
Fireworks & Animal Welfare
The Blue Cross Organisation (an animal welfare charity) have
published a leaflet offering guidance on the care and protection of
your pets at this time of year ( www.dti.gov.uk/homesafetynetwork/pdf/fwrklft.pdf)