RoSPA Press Office : Press Release

October 13, 2008
HALLOWEEN SAFETY MESSAGE AS NI FIREWORK INJURIES INCREASE

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is urging people to take care with fireworks after an increase in injuries in Northern Ireland.

During the four-week period around Halloween last year, 97 people visited hospital after being hurt by fireworks – a 41 per cent rise on injuries in the previous year. Two-thirds of firework victims (67 per cent) were under the age of 16. The victim was male in 87 per cent of cases.

The largest number of injuries (35 per cent) happened in public places, such as streets and parks. Family or private parties accounted for 23 per cent, three per cent happened at large public displays and four per cent occurred at semi-public parties.

Ita McErlean, RoSPA Home Safety Manager for Northern Ireland, said: “It is disappointing to see that under-16s suffered the majority of firework injuries last year and also that many injuries happened in a public place.

“It is crucial that we remind people that it is against the law to sell fireworks to anyone who is under the age of 16. It is also illegal for fireworks to be thrown or let off in the street or a public place.

“Fireworks are not toys. They are explosives and need to be treated with respect. Not only can misusing fireworks cause great distress to other people, but, as these figures show, it can also result in injuries, some of them serious.

“The safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a properly organised public display. But if you are having a party at home in Northern Ireland be sure to plan it well in advance, ensure you have a licence, buy your fireworks from a registered retailer and follow the firework code.”

The RoSPA firework code: plan your firework display; keep fireworks in a closed box, using them one at a time; read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch; light the firework at arm's length with a taper and stand well back; keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks; never return to a firework once it has been lit; don't put fireworks in pockets and never throw them; direct any rockets well away from spectators; never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire; and make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

To promote the safer firework message, RoSPA is working in partnership with the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and the Northern Ireland Office. In the run-up to Halloween, firework safety messages are being delivered at a local level across Northern Ireland by Home Accident Prevention Groups.

For more information about firework safety, visit www.saferfireworks.com.

The RoSPA Northern Ireland office has a limited number of free firework safety posters available. Call Ita McErlean on 02890 501160 for more details.