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Firework safety
Even if you’re not hosting a bonfire or fireworks display, there is plenty you can do to help keep children safe at this time of year. Helping parents and children to understand the dangers of fireworks can prevent injuries and in some cases save lives.
Although we don’t have specific leaflets for fireworks night, you can use CAPT’s How safe is your child from burns and scalds? leaflet to give parents general advice on burns first aid.
For resources on firework safety, we recommend you visit the website of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, where you can download leaflets for both parents and children, as well as schools packs.
How many children have accidents with fireworks?
- Over 550 children under 16 are taken to A&E in the four weeks surrounding bonfire night alone.
- Many more boys than girls are injured by fireworks – especially boys aged 12 to 15 years.
General tips on firework safety
You can help parents keep their children safe from accidents with fireworks by discussing the topic with them. There are a few general points worth noting if you are looking to discuss this with parents.
Sparklers are not ‘fireworks lite’ – A sparkler can reach a temperature of up to 2,000 degrees Celsius – 20 times the boiling point of water. And three sparklers burning together generate the same heat as a blowtorch!
An understanding of child development is useful when explaining what children can and can’t do. For instance, children under five shouldn’t be given sparklers, as they’re too young to hold them safely and don’t understand why they might be dangerous, and toddlers should be steered well clear of bonfires. Older children can be trusted with sparklers, but require supervision, and should be taught to stand at a safe distance from the bonfire.
Firework safety is an area where helping parents to stay safe can be really worthwhile. Teaching parents the basics of firework safety – never return to a lit firework, never throw spent fireworks onto the bonfire, etc – can help keep their children safe too.
Burns first aid can be really useful for parents – not just on fireworks night. Understanding how to treat burns while waiting for an ambulance can prevent infection and minimise the severity of injuries.
More information
CAPT’s range of leaflets and booklets will support you in your work with parents and carers by underlining the key safety messages. There are no specific resources on firework safety, but How safe is your child from burns and scalds? will give parents information on dealing with burns in an emergency. The leaflets are written with different stages of child development in mind, and are a key support tool when teaching parents about child accident prevention.
For specific resources on firework safety, visit the website of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, where you can download leaflets for both parents and children, as well as schools packs for different ages/key stages.
You could also have a look at our news item on firework safety, sent out in CAPT News in October 2010.
We also have a range of quizzes and activities to support you in your work with parents and carers.
This resource is a support tool for practitioners, and is not meant to provide stand-alone safety advice. You can find more detailed advice on preventing accidents in the parents section of the website. If you would like teaching aids for workshops, you can purchase some of our colourful, engaging safety resources in the online shop.
There are other important aspects of accident prevention, such as legislation and the physical, social and financial environment that children and families live in. Find out more about the role of practitioners in preventing childhood injuries and deaths from accidents.
Download this page as a printable factsheet
