Christmas safety tips

Watching fireworks can be great fun for children. However, figures show that, more often than not, it’s children rather than adults who are injured by fireworks.

We want children to enjoy fireworks but they need to know that they can be dangerous.

Children under five

• Never give sparklers to under-fives.
• Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand.
• Always supervise young children closely.

All children

• Supervise all children carefully and keep them well back from the bonfire and fireworks.
• Show older children how to hold sparklers – away from their body and at arm’s length – and teach them not to wave them at other people or run while holding them.
• Avoid dressing children in loose or flowing clothes that could catch alight easily, and give children gloves to wear when holding sparklers.
• Steer clear of alcohol if you’re running a display or looking after kids.

Sparkle safely

Did you know that sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil? Sparklers are not toys and should never be given to a child under five.

• 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. Remember, sparklers can stay hot for a long time.
• Don’t take sparklers to public displays. It will be too crowded to use them safely.

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 – clingfilm 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.

RSPA - Firework code