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Staying safe on Bonfire Night

Bonfire night is an exciting time of year for children and adults alike and there is nothing quite like venturing out on a cold winter’s night to watch the sky light up with an array of beautiful colours and sounds. Unfortunately, however, through the media and other campaigns we are all only to aware of the dangers posed by fireworks if they are misused or if something goes wrong. Whether you are attending an organised public event or a more low-key private event in a friend’s back garden it is vital that you allow common sense to prevail at all times and ensure that you are constantly vigilant about ensuring the safety of yourself and everyone around you.

Children

Children are particularly captivated by fireworks and some are just too young to realise and appreciate the hidden danger behind the fun. Babies and very young children should be kept away from fireworks displays altogether. It is all too tempting for a child to, for example, bend down to pick up a used sparkler, or run into the path of a firework that is about to go off. Ensure that children of all ages are wearing gloves (adults should too!) at all times and are kept a safe distance away from the display and the bonfire. Older children can be spoken to about the importance of taking extreme care when using sparklers and they should never be allowed to go near to the point where the fireworks are being set off. If your child is too young to share the responsibility for their safety then you must always ensure that they are fully supervised at all times and are able to witness the fireworks display whilst keeping as safe a distance away as possible to avoid being hurt.

Private functions

If you are attending an informal fireworks display in a friend’s back garden ensure that you trust your host to carry out the display safely and with the upmost caution. This includes ensuring the person responsible for carrying out the display remains sober throughout. It is important that there is enough space so that spectators can enjoy the display without risk of injury. Some fireworks are only suitable for professional pyrotechnic displays and you should ensure that the person carrying out the display knows exactly what to expect from the firework they are dealing with and feels confident in setting it off safely. Only buy fireworks from a licensed retailer and ensure the fireworks comply with British Standard 7114. Resist the urge to buy ‘cheap’ fireworks as their safety cannot be guaranteed.

Organised events

Organised events, by professional pyrotechnics, can be amazing to watch and it is easy to put your trust in others and get carried away by the atmosphere. However, always do your research and ensure that you are attending a reputable display carried out by known professionals.

Injuries

The most common injuries caused in connection with bonfire night include:

• Burns (leading to scarring)
• Scalds (also leading to scarring)
• Eye damage (including blindness) caused by being struck by a firework or sparkler
• Amputations caused by being struck by a firework

Making a claim

If you have, or somebody you care about has, been injured in a firework/sparkler related accident and you can prove that the accident was caused by somebody else’s negligence, or by a defective batch of fireworks or inadequate safety measures, you may be able to make a claim for compensation for the injuries you have sustained. Call Loyalty Law now on 0800 242 1775 or make an online enquiry. Our expert solicitors specialise in firework related accident and will be able to quickly and simply answer any questions you may have.

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