21 October 2008

Be careful and considerate with fireworks this year – that’s the message from Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service and Buckinghamshire Community Safety Partnership as 5 November approaches.

Community safety teams are urging everyone to follow the bonfire night safety code, and appealing to young people in particular not to misbehave with fireworks.

Terry Ridgley, head of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s community safety team, said: “We receive dozens of bonfire and firework calls in the weeks before and after 5 November. As well as exposing people to unnecessary risks, there is always a danger that these incidents will reduce the level of service we can provide to the public at other emergencies.”

He added: “Watching fireworks can be great fun, but figures show that more often than not, it’s children rather than adults who get hurt by fireworks. In recent years 1,000 people a year have required treatment at hospital casualty departments nationally, with 50 of these described as serious. Please don’t be one of the statistics.”

As well as trying to make everyone safer, Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service wants to remind youngsters of the trouble they can get into by misusing fireworks.

It is an offence to throw fireworks in the street, and anyone found guilty is liable to a fine of up to £5,000. It is also an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to animals, with a penalty on conviction of a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in prison. There is a curfew on the use of fireworks is between 11pm and 7am, except on 5 November, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali night.

Terry is also urging people to think very carefully about where they site bonfires. Every year, Buckinghamshire fire & Rescue Service is called out to deal with bonfires that are causing a nuisance or are in danger of spreading to fences and vegetation.

Terry said: “Everyone at Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service wishes you an enjoyable bonfire night – but please make sure it’s a safe one too.”

Thames Valley Police say additional officers will be on duty to patrol areas that have suffered from incidents in past years and also to improve the ability of the police to respond to any reports or incidents.

Superintendent Tony Ismay, head of operational support for Buckinghamshire Basic Command Unit, said: “Some troublemakers see the period between Halloween and bonfire night as an excuse for anti-social behaviour. This is clearly unacceptable, and we are deploying additional officers to deal with anyone who misbehaves.

“The message from the police is clear - behave anti-socially and you could end up arrested and with a criminal record, which will have serious repercussions for your future. It’s simply not worth the risk.”

If you notice anything suspicious, please contact Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505 or 999 if the crime is in progress. Alternatively, if you don’t wish to speak to police or leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust has issued a warning about avoidable injuries caused by the careless use of fireworks. Although it attends accidents involving burns throughout the year, between 15 and 20 per cent of calls are received during October and November. 

Nick Vanozzi, operations manager for the ambulance service in Buckinghamshire, said many such injuries were avoidable and that if people behaved more responsibly the ambulance crews would be able to concentrate on other emergencies.

He said: “There is plenty of advice about the safe use of fireworks, but that doesn’t stop people getting into trouble and receiving burns injuries.

"Unfortunately this seems to happen year after year and we hope that the lesson will be learned about the safe use of fireworks.

"We enjoy fireworks as much as anyone but unfortunately have to deal with the aftermath when things go wrong. The advice is simple – it is better to attend a well-organised event rather than doing your own thing in the back garden using cheap fireworks of a dubious origin. 

"Above all, these are not toys and should not be in the hands of children. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and, in this case, risk being horribly disfigured for life.”

Buckinghamshire County Council’s Trading Standards department is urging traders to be careful how they store fireworks to ensure they do not pose a fire or explosion risk. It is also reminding the public only to use fireworks of a suitable size for their garden.

Fireworks are now on sale and can be sold up to 10 November. They can only be sold to people over the age of 18, and must meet BS 7114.

Trading Standards would be pleased to hear about any traders who are not complying with their obligations. The number to ring is 08454 040506.

Buckinghamshire Community Safety Partnership has been working with partnership agencies to ensure local residents receive a co-ordinated and joined up response to potential problems over the Halloween and fireworks period.

Local primary and secondary schools have been reminded to encourage young people to enjoy Halloween safely and considerately, and parents have been asked to encourage their children to do the same.

Buckinghamshire also has Safer Schools Partnerships, which provide an opportunity for regular interaction between schools and local agencies, including the police, to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

The Community Safety Partnership has organised a firework and arson safety quiz for pupils aged between eight and 18. Click HERE to enter it.

If you are organising a firework event and you notify Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service in advance, you will be sent a letter of acknowledgement and general bonfire and firework safety information. Ring 01296 744477 or send an email to cs@bucksfire.gov.uk

The firework 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 at arm's 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

Firework safety

• Keep fireworks in a closed metal box and take them out one at a time
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on each firework. Read them by torchlight, and never a naked flame
• Light fireworks at arm’s length using a safety firework lighter or fuse wick
• Stand back after lighting
• Never go back to a firework once lit - it may go off in your face
• Keep a bucket of water handy. Used fireworks should be collected after the display with care. Douse with water, bury or place in a metal container
• Keep children under control
• Keep pets indoors

Bonfire safety

• Site well away from houses, garages, sheds, fences, overhead cables, trees and shrubs and always away from fireworks
• Build the stack so that it is stable and will not collapse outwards or to one side
• Never use flammable liquids - paraffin or petrol - to light the fire
• Don’t burn foam-filled furniture, aerosols, tins of paint or bottles
• Keep everyone away from the fire - especially children, who must be supervised all the time
• For an emergency keep buckets of water or the garden hose or a fire extinguisher ready
• Pour water on the embers before leaving

Firework factfile

• Sparklers reach a temperature of up to 2,000°C
• A rocket can reach a top speed of 150mph
• At family back-garden displays, sparklers cause more injuries than air-bombs, bangers, rockets and roman candles combined
• Half of all firework accidents happen to children under the age of 16
• Three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blow-torch
• Hands and eyes are most at risk in firework accidents
• Most firework accidents are caused at family back-garden displays, closely followed by incidents in the street