Bonfire night is usually a fun and magical evening for all, however it does come with its dangers. We've found the most important and valuable information you need to know before you get the fireworks out.

Did you know that fireworks can travel at speeds of 150mph? And that last year, there were 990 injuries caused by fireworks in October and November, over half of which were children injured by sparklers and fireworks?

Bonfire night can be one of the most exciting nights of the year (and it should be!), but it's important to keep safe whilst attending a bonfire event or if you’re planning on using fireworks at home.

Here are some useful tips in order for you and your family to be safe and not sorry.
 

Firework Safety

• Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114, the official British Standard code
• Warn others before you light a firework, at arm’s length, and then walk away (don’t run!)
• Never walk back towards a lit firework
• Always keep a bucket of water nearby
• Keep your pets indoors
  
   

Children’s Safety

• Make sure children are wrapped up warm; coats, hats, scarves, gloves – the lot!
• Never give a child a sparkler if they aren’t wearing gloves
• Give children torches so that you know where they are if they are in dark areas
• If at a bonfire event, keep children close at all times and make sure they know your mobile numbers
  
   

Fireworks and the Law

• It is an offence for anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in public places and an offence for anyone other than a firework professional to possess professional display fireworks.
   
• Police have the power to issue fixed penalty notices to those under the age of 18 caught with fireworks in a public place.
   
• It is also illegal to set off fireworks between 11pm and 7am. On 5 November your display can continue until midnight. Exceptions have also been made for celebrating other special occasions like New Year’s Eve, Diwali and Chinese New Year when fireworks can be set off until 1am. See related links for more information about firework legislation.
  
   

Just in case you need it, advice on first aid can be obtained from:
St John’s Ambulance – 08700104950 www.sja.org.uk
The British Red Cross – 02072355454 www.redcross.org.uk


For more information about bonfire and firework safety, visit the London Fire Brigade’s website here http://bit.ly/1ycb7Zt