Be safe, not sorry on bonfire night

Fireworks display

“Have a happy and safe bonfire night with your family and attend an organised bonfire or fireworks display this 5 November,” is the message being put out by County Fire Officer Barry Dixon.

“Too many times we see serious injuries caused by fireworks which could have been prevented," he said. "Statistics show that the majority of injuries by fire works are to the eyes, face and hands. A moment's loss of attention, distraction or recklessness can lead to an injury which affects the rest of your life."

Firework Facts

A sparkler reaches a temperature of up to 2,000 degrees Celsius - that's 20 times the boiling point of water.

Sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil.

A rocket can reach 150 miles an hour.

A firework shell can go as high as 200 metres.

Three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blow-torch.

Why do you see the explosion before hearing it? The sound travels at 742 miles/ hour, but light travels 670,616,625.6 miles / hour.

A sparkler burns at five times the heat of a bonfire.

The highest number of firework-related injuries happen at family or private parties.

Around half of all injuries happen to children under the age of 17.

The most common injuries are to hands followed by eyes and faces.

Fireworks are safer now than they have been in the past thanks to the safety standard BS 7114 - you should never buy or use fireworks which do not show on the label that they comply with this standard.

As we approach Bonfire night, and with 50% of the injuries happening at private parties, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has issued guidance to help everyone celebrate safely:-

Always attend an officially recognised bonfire/fireworks display (for a list of local organised bonfires visit www.manchesterfire.gov.uk )

Fireworks

If you must have your own fireworks party, leave the lighting of the fireworks to a responsible adult.

Only ever buy fireworks from a reputable retailer.

Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.

Keep fireworks in a closed metal box.

Follow the instructions on each firework.

Light them at arm’s length using a taper.

Stand well back.

Never go back to a lit firework.

Never put fireworks in your pocket.

Keep a bucket of water nearby if you are setting off fireworks in your garden

Never throw fireworks.

Keep pets indoors.

Alcohol and fireworks do not mix and may lead to injury.

Bonfires

Never build your bonfire too close to overhead cables or nearby property. Bonfires should be 18 metres from buildings, trees, fences, overhead cables and car parking areas.

Bonfires should be no more than 3 metres in height. There should be a suitable barrier around the bonfire to keep spectators 5 metres away.

Always check your bonfire before it is lit, children have been known to build dens inside them.

Do not use petrol, paraffin, diesel, white spirit or methylated spirit to light the bonfire – USE FIRELIGHTERS INSTEAD.

Do Not Burn aerosols, batteries, bottles, foam-filled furniture, tins of paint or tyres.

Keep some buckets of water nearby in case of emergency and to damp down after the event.

Always extinguish your bonfire once your party has finished.

Bonfires built on council land without permission will be removed.