Fireworks Are Explosives - Get Wise Or Get Hurt

21 October 2002

Fireworks can be great fun to watch but every year young people get hurt in firework accidents. A simple sparkler firework reaches a temperature of up to 2,000C. That’s over 15 times the boiling point of water. In the past five years 2,258 people in the UK were hurt and required hospital treatment as a result of fireworks. In the same period there have been four deaths. Last year just over half of all injuries happened to children under the age of 16.
Agencies in the Western Isles are aiming to make people aware of the dangers of fireworks and to reduce the risk of accidents.

This week Trading Standards Officers from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the Police are inspecting the licensing of retail premises selling fireworks. There’s also an exhibition at Stornoway library giving safety advice.

A Comhairle spokesperson said: “Many children and young people are injured by fireworks every year but the risk can be reduced by following the simple guidelines of the Firework Safety Code.”
The Firework Safety Code:

Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114
Don’t drink alcohol if setting off fireworks
Keep fireworks in a closed box
Follow the instructions on each firework
Light them at arms length, using a taper
Stand well back
Never go near a firework that has been lit. Even if it hasn’t gone off, it could still explode.
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

Acting Inspector Phillip Macrae , Northern Constabulary said: “Fireworks are explosives. The minimum age for fireworks sales is 18 and it is illegal to sell bangers and mini-rockets to the public. It is an offence to let fireworks off in a public place which basically means anywhere other than in your own back garden ”.

Consumer Protection Officer Marina MacSween said: “12 years ago a British Safety Standard known as BS 7114 was introduced. Fireworks complying with BS 7114 are limited as to explosive content, have recommended safe viewing distances and have strict times for how long the fuse will burn to enable people to move out of the way. Never buy or use fireworks which do not show on the label that they comply with BS 7114".

Alan Edwards,Divisional Commander Highlands and Islands Fire Brigade added " People should wherever possible go to organised events. People having their own displays at home should follow the instuctions on the fireworks, and they should ensure that they are discharging the fireworks in a safe area . They should also have a bucket of sand and a bucket of water available"

Fireworks night can also be a traumatic time for pets and other animals. Calum Watt of the local SSPCA SAID; “An SSPCA sponsored survey of vets revealed that at least 8,000 animals in Scotland received veterinary treatment for stress or injury as a direct result of fireworks in 2001. All pets should be kept indoors after dark. In the event of finding an injured animal contact the SSPCA immediately.” He added that the SSPCA's current campaign was to back the introduction of legislation which would limit the period for the sale of fireworks to November.

 

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Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk