Remember remember the dangers of fireworks

Thursday 06 November 2014

Firefighters are urging Islanders to remember that playing with fireworks can cause horrific life-changing injuries and that in over half of all firework injuries every year it’s children that get hurt.

Fireworks went on sale last week but they say the best way for people to enjoy them is at a professionally organised event rather than at home.

Crew Commander Tony Aubert said: “The firework safety message seems to be a very hard one to get across. We certainly don’t want to spoil the fun, but people must respect fireworks and understand that they are explosives, not toys.

“Even small fireworks are capable of inflicting horrific life-changing injuries. When you understand this, it makes you wonder why people still “play” with fireworks.

“Sadly, I can only imagine that those who still run the risks do so only because they have never been directly involved, or witnessed first-hand, the terror and shock that accompanies such incidents.”

The police have been dealing with lots of complaints this week about the noise and shock caused by people letting off fireworks in their gardens but say as long as the display is safe and not going on too late then neighbours should try and be a bit tolerant of those having fun.

Last week firefighters warned of the dangers of letting off sky lanterns that can cause fires at height that are difficult to deal with, especially when they get tangled in rooftops, fences and trees.

Now they have the following safety advice for anyone lighting up the skies in their gardens:

• Only one person should be in charge of letting fireworks off at home and that person should inspect the area in daylight. When it gets dark they say you'll need a torch, a bucket or two of water, eye protection and gloves, a bucket of soft earth to put fireworks in and suitable supports and launchers if you're setting off Catherine wheels or rockets.
• After the display use gloves and stick all the used fireworks in a bucket of water to soak overnight.
• Be really careful with any firework that has failed to go off - leave it for at least an hour then stick it in a bucket of water to soak overnight.
• Keep pets inside and children well away from the fireworks and don't let little ones under the age of five play with sparklers - they can get five times hotter than cooking oil.

 Here are their tips for those lighting bonfires:

• Make sure your fire is well clear of structures like sheds, fences and cables
• Don’t use petrol to light the fire – often the vapors can collect and explode violently
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby - in case of emergencies
• Don’t leave the bonfire unattended
• Keep children and pets away from the bonfire
• Don’t throw any fireworks into the fire
• Don't burn aerosols, tyres, canisters or anything containing foam or paint - many produce toxic fumes and some containers may explode, causing injury
• Once the bonfire has died down, spray the embers with water to stop it re-igniting or spreading.