Firefighters have called on the public to stay safe
UK households warned to ‘keep children indoors’ as big problem sweeps England
UK households have been urged to keep children indoors on Wednesday as a big problem sweeps England ahead of Christmas. Children’s burns specialists and firefighters have called on the public to stay safe around fireworks.
It comes as one nurse warned that injuries caused by fireworks and sparklers can be “life-changing”. The Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have appealed to the public to take heed of fireworks safety advice.
Sharon Ramsay is a clinical nurse specialist for paediatric burns at the Scottish National Burns Centre, which is based at the RCH in Glasgow.She explained that every year they treat children with “serious injuries” caused by fireworks and sparklers.
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“These can be life-changing, especially in older children who’ve lit fireworks while holding them,” she said.
“We’ve seen blast injuries to hands, faces, and eyes, some resulting in permanent disability.
“If you’re using fireworks at home, please keep children indoors and behind closed windows where they can safely enjoy the display.”
“We often see more injuries in the two weeks following Bonfire Night, when young people get hold of leftover fireworks and use them unsupervised with friends,” she explained.
“If you’re storing fireworks for another occasion, like New Year’s Eve, please keep them locked away and out of reach of children.”
Kenny Barbour, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) deputy assistant chief officer, said “a little knowledge” of the risks can go a long way to keeping people safe.
“Every year we witness people who have been injured by fireworks,” he said in a statement this week. “Fireworks are explosives and people need to understand how dangerous they can be.
“We would always urge people to attend an organised public display where possible, but where they can’t, they should always read the Fireworks Code before buying or using fireworks.”
