Remember, remember the 5th of November! How could we forget – an evening dedicated to toffee apples, jacket potatoes and not to mention, beautiful fireworks! But, if you have any little ones running around your ankles, bonfire night can also bring with it a degree of stress as you try to keep your children as safe as possible whilst the festivities take place.
With an average of 1,000 firework related incidents occurring in the UK every year, child safety should be at the forefront of your mind, whether you are attending a celebration or organising your own. Here are our top tips for keeping you and your family safe this Bonfire night.
Bonfire Height
As impressive as it looks, overbuilt bonfires are incredibly dangerous, so ensure that, if you decide to have one at your event, it is not too high. They should also be built in a large open space, away from houses, hedges and other garden buildings, such as sheds.
Sparklers
Sparklers are an essential part of any Bonfire night celebration, and children absolutely love them! However, they are the most common cause of accidents as they are often not handled appropriately, with many people thinking they are pretty harmless additions to the party.
To ensure everyone is safe, make sure anyone who is handling a sparkler stands still whilst using them, wears gloves and holds the sparklers at arm’s length, horizontally. Once they have gone out, sparklers should be placed in a bucket of water. Any that have been dropped on the floor shouldn’t be picked up with bare hands as they could still be extremely hot to the touch. Children should be supervised at all times whilst using sparklers, and under 5’s should not have one at all.
Ear Protection
Whilst your children may love the idea of fireworks, watching the pretty colours whizz and sparkle in the night sky, the reality of the loud bangs and cracks might spook them a bit. If you worry that your child may become distressed with the loud noises, then it’s worth buying ear plugs or ear defenders to help muffle the bangs. If the Bonfire event is taking place at your home, or in a friend’s house, let them know that if the noises get too much they can go and sit inside whenever they want to.
Fireworks
Firstly, only purchase fireworks with the BS7114 kitemark, and be sure to store them in a cool dry box until they are needed. Educate your children on the dangers of fireworks, whilst still ensuring they are excited about the event. Let them know that they need to keep a safe distance from the fireworks display, and once a firework has been lit, they cannot go back to it. All rockets should be set up properly, in a bucket of sand or soil, so that they ‘blast off’ in the right direction, and flat fireworks, like Catherine Wheels, should be nailed securely to a piece of board. Buckets of water should also be kept nearby in case of emergencies.
Follow these tips for a safe and happy Bonfire Night! Find out some fun facts about fireworks!