Ambulance service encourages safety on bonfire night

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Firework display

In the run up to Bonfire Night, the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) is reminding people to stay safe and keep themselves and others free from harm.

Every year the ambulance service is called to a number of patients who have firework and bonfire-related injuries, and this year will be no exception.

Derek Cartwright, Director of Emergency Service at NWAS, said: “Around the Bonfire Night period, our ambulance crews will treat a number of patients, children and adults, ranging from those with minor burns to those with more serious, life-threatening injuries.

“It is easy to forget how dangerous fireworks, bonfires and even sparklers can be. Sparklers get five times hotter than cooking oil and a rocket can reach speeds of 150mph.

“Throughout the celebrations please remember to keep a watchful eye on your children and to keep them out of harm’s way and if you are handling or lighting fireworks yourself remember to follow all the safety rules.

“Fireworks used properly are safe and accidents are avoidable. However, they can cause devastating injuries or even death if safety precautions are not followed.

“We recommend that people go along to a professionally-organised public display. But, if you are planning to host your own event, we urge you to exercise caution and make safety a priority to ensure everyone has a good time without getting hurt.”

The service has revealed just a few of the incidents paramedics attended on 5 November last year. They include a two-year-old girl being burnt by a sparkler, a 10-year-old girl who was hit in the neck by a firework and a 28-year-old man who suffered burns to his legs and hands after throwing petrol on a bonfire.

In the event of an accident with fireworks or fires you should: 

• Extinguish any flames if the casualty is alight;
• Use cold water (ideally cold running water) to cool the burnt area and reduce pain;
• Not remove burnt clothing which has stuck to the skin;
• Not use any creams, oils etc;
• Seek urgent medical help, calling 999 if injuries are serious or, for minor injuries, consider visiting a minor injuries unit or contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.