Make Bonfire Night Safe and Fun

OXFORDSHIRE County Council?s Fire and Rescue Service is issuing advice to families to make sure that everyone has a good time on Bonfire Night without getting hurt.
Peter Cleary, Risk Reduction Manager at the county council said: “Having fireworks at home can be great fun as long as they are used safely. Sadly, figures show that more children than adults get hurt by fireworks and over the past five years more than 350 pre-school children, some only a year old, were treated in hospital for fireworks injuries.
“As part of our ongoing 365 Alive safety campaign we are offering advice to families so they can enjoy themselves ?. and stay safe at the same time!”

Where to buy fireworks
Fireworks should always be bought from a reputable shop to make sure that they conform to British Standards ? they should have BS 7114 written on the box.

Never buy fireworks from car boot sales, unlicensed market stalls or the back of a van.

Sparkler safety
Sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil ? they are not toys and shouldn?t be given to children under the age of five.

Setting off fireworks
Only one person should be in charge of lighting fireworks. They should read the instructions in daylight and not drink alcohol until the display is over. It?s best to prepare in advance and in daylight. Have the following close by on the night:

? a torch
? a bucket or two of water
? eye protection and gloves
? a bucket of soft earth to put fireworks in
? suitable supports and launchers for Catherine
wheels and rockets.

Common sense rules to keep safe:
? never drink alcohol if you are setting off
fireworks or in charge of the bonfire
? keep fireworks in a closed box
? follow the instructions on each firework
? light them at arm?s length, using a taper
? stand well back
? never put fireworks in your pocket or throw
them
? never go near a firework that has been lit –
even if it has not gone off it could still
explode
? always supervise children around fireworks
? light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
? never give sparklers to children under five
? keep pets indoors.

County Councillor Ray Jelf, Cabinet Member for Community Safety said: “If everyone observes these simple guidelines they will be able to enjoy their family bonfires without experiencing a tragic accident on the night. Children love fireworks but it is up to their parents to keep them safe.”

Government legislation states that:
? it is an offence for the under 18s to possess
fireworks in a public place
? it is also an offence for anyone to let
fireworks off after 11pm (except on 5
November when they can be set off until
midnight and New Years Eve, Chinese New Year
and Diwali when they can be set off until
1am)
? it is also an offence to throw or set off
fireworks in a street or public place.