Firework injuries highest in North West

A teenager who appears on billboards, shows the dangers of playing with fireworks.

The North West has the worst record of firework injuries in the country.

Latest annual figures show that nationally there were 991 firework injuries reported, shockingly 179 (18%) of these occured in the Northwest.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has highlighted the figures as it embarks on the second stage of its 2008 Firework Safety Campaign. This includes a radio advert that describes what it is like to be hit by a firework. The desciption supports billboard posters showing a young boy who has been badly disfigured after misusing fireworks.

The Fire and Rescue Service has used hard hitting images and descriptions to show the true and only too common outcomes of misusing fireworks.

The campaign targets young teenagers, the most 'at risk' group from firework injuries.

Assistant County Fire Officer for Fire Safety Steve Beckley said: “These adverts will definitely make people think.

"Our statistics show that you are far safer at a properly organised fireworks display than lighting them yourself at your own bonfire party or playing with them in the street.

"The image on the poster shows the reality of what we come across every year, the horrible scars these fireworks can leave on a person’s life if they are not used sensibly.

"We are working with the Treacle partnership, which was launched this week, to reduce the impact on all our communities of misusing fireworks and the associated anti social behaviour.”