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Stay Safe this Bonfire Night!

We are very excited to announce CAPT have joined forces with Fireman Sam in order to switch more children on to safety this Halloween and Bonfire night. Have a look at our safety tips which give families the know-how they need to minimise risks and react quickly if an accident does happen from fireworks, bonfires and flammable costumes.

Firework and Bonfire Safety tips:

Watching fireworks is great fun. But taking care is important especially as children are more likely to get hurt by fireworks than adults. There are simple things that can reduce the risk to your family.

  • Children under five are too young to safely hold a sparkler and don’t really understand why they might be dangerous. Avoid giving them one to hold.
  • Babies or children can wriggle in your arms and reach out unexpectedly. Avoid holding a baby or child when you have a sparkler in your hand.
  • Children over five will still need you to supervise them when they use sparklers. It’s safest if they wear gloves when they’re holding them. They might seem like ‘fireworks lite’ but sparklers can reach a temperature of 2000ºC.Have a bucket of water handy to put them in so that no-one can pick up a hot one off the ground. Teach them not to wave sparklers near anyone else or run with them.
  • Encourage children to practice what they’ll do if their clothing catches on a flame:
    • STOP what you are doing.
    • DROP to the ground and cover your face with your hands.
    • ROLL over and over to put out the flames.

A night to remember, or a night you want to forget

The best way to enjoy fireworks is at an organised display. The fireworks will be bigger and you’re not responsible for safety.

Most injuries happen at family bonfire parties or private displays. Even if you try to take all the right safety precautions, fireworks can misfire and cause devastating injuries.

On Bonfire night, November 5, 2016, four year old Maisie Roe sustained burns from a firework accident that took place at her home. Stephanie, her mother, is very keen to raise awareness of the dangers of having fireworks at home.

“I wanted to tell Maisie’s story so if anyone considers having fireworks at home to think again and instead attend their local firework display.  I remember in the past we didn’t think twice about having fireworks at home and when one firework whizzed off in the wrong direction it was funny. Now when I hear of kids throwing them at each other in the street it makes my heart sink.”

Visit the Children’s Burns Trust website to read Stephanie’s own words as she explains the events of that evening.

#BeBurnsAware

Download this leaflet from Office for Product Safety & Standards for more information about how to stay safe around fireworks and top tips on hosting your own display.

Help us spread the word

More information

For more information, visit
www.capt.org.uk/fireworks
www.tradingstandards.uk/campaigns