Stay safe on Bonfire Night

With Bonfire Night approaching and the Hindu festival of Diwali following a week later, the South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) is reminding people to stay safe when handling bonfires and fireworks.

SECAmb asks that people follow some simple safety tips and advice and that they use common sense to keep themselves, their family and friends safe.

Top safety tips include:
• Never use petrol or other chemicals on a bonfire.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box away from children and use them one at a time.
• Read any instructions carefully using a torch if necessary.
• Never smoke around fireworks.
• Light fireworks at arm’s length with a taper and stand at a safe distance.
• Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
• Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never thrown them.

SECAmb Senior Contingency Planning and Resilience Manager, Steve Carpenter said: “It’s a fact that every year people get injured by fireworks and a lot of these injuries can be avoided if safety precautions are taken.

“We want people to have a good time and enjoy the coming weeks but we urge them to stay safe and be sensible. Fireworks are dangerous and should be handled carefully. Don’t let your evening be spoiled by a trip to A&E in an ambulance.”

Pets, too, need to be kept safe around fire and fireworks. RSPCA is asking people to spare a thought for animals who may be distressed by fireworks and visit organised events when possible.

James Yeates, the RSPCA’s chief veterinary officer, said: “If you can get along to one of the many big events rather than setting fireworks off in residential gardens where there are bound to be pets nearby, that really helps pet owners to plan as they know exactly when those events are and don’t have to worry in the build up and aftermath of bonfire night.

More information on firework safety can be found at www.saferfireworks.com, and tips on how to help animals cope with fireworks visit www.rspca.org.uk/fireworks.

Words: Jenny Berg