Remember, remember...
Bonfire night can be great fun for all the family but it is important that you celebrate safely.
We recommend that you visit an organised bonfire and firework display.
If you are having a display at home please make sure you follow the firework code below:
The Firework Code:
- Only buy fireworks marked with British Standard 7114.
- Don’t drink alcohol if you are setting off fireworks.
- Keep fireworks in a closed box.
- Follow the instructions on each firework. (Read them first in daylight)
- Light them at arm’s length, using a taper.
- Stand well back and keep others back too.
- Never go near a firework that has been lit. It could still explode even if it hasn’t gone off.
- Never put fireworks in your pocket or throw them.
- Always supervise children around fireworks.
- Light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
- Never give sparklers to a child under five.
- Keep pets indoors.
- Don’t set off noisy fireworks late at night and never after 11pm.
Keep sparklers in safe hands
Sparklers, like other fireworks, must be used with care. They can get 6 times as hot as a pan of cooking oil and sparkler injuries have been on the increase. It makes sense to keep sparklers in safe hands.
Safety with sparklers
- Store sparklers and other fireworks in a closed box in a cool, dry place.
- Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves.
- Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand.
- Plunge finished sparklers hot end down into a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out. They can stay hot for a long time.
- Don’t take sparklers to public displays. It will be too crowded to use them safely.
Children and sparklers
- 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.
In an emergency
- Cool the burn or scald with cold water for at least 10 minutes.
- Cut around material sticking to the skin – don’t pull it off.
- Don’t touch the burn or burst any blisters.
- Cover the burn with clean, non-fluffy material – cling film is ideal – to prevent infection.
- If clothing catches fire, get the person to stop, drop to the floor and roll them in heavy material like a curtain.
- Get advice from your doctor or accident and emergency department at your local hospital.
For more firework safety advice see:
Organising a public firework display
For further information on how to organise a public firework display visit the website below
Sale of fireworks
For trading standards information regarding the storage and sale of fireworks please
click here