Firework Health & Safety

With Bonfire Night just around the corner, there are going to be a lot of fireworks set off in celebration. Although this is normally a great evening out with family and friends, accidents can happen if you don’t know the basics of firework safety.

As long as everyone follows the correct health and safety procedures and keeps in mind that fireworks are an explosive and can be dangerous if not used properly, everyone will have a great night!

Keeping Children Safe

The bright nighttime displays, the smell of smoke, the loud fizzes, whizzes and bangs - firework displays are exciting, especially for young children. However, despite their appeal, fireworks are barely more than a cardboard tube of explosive gunpowder - it’s vital you, and your children, keep this in mind.

Teach your children the dangers of fireworks, make sure they stand well back as you light them and always try to store them out of their reach - nothing ruins a great firework display more than a trip to A&E.

Public Display

What’s better than putting on a fireworks display? Having someone put one on for you. The organisers of public displays need to perform risk assessments, making sure that nobody has their night ruined by avoidable injuries. Dangerous areas, where fireworks are being lit, for example, are usually located far away from the gathered crowds, and are cordoned off with barriers and warning signs to stop people accidentally straying too close. Make sure you don’t wander too close, and keep an eye on children.

Home Display

If you’re having your own display, here are a few health and safety tips that you should keep in mind:

• Have a clearly marked Danger Zone where you’ll light your fireworks.
• Designate one person to light the fireworks, this reduces the chances of miscommunication.
• Keep anyone not lighting fireworks out of the Danger Zone. Be especially aware of children.
• Make sure that nobody is wearing flammable clothing - for obvious reasons.
• Always keep a bucket of water, or sand, handy to put out the sparklers. They should never be disposed of on the floor.

General Firework Safety Tips

As well as keeping an eye on children, you also need to look after yourself. Remember:

• Keep any naked flames out of the Danger Zone.
• Once a firework is lit, don’t go back to it.
• Create and stick to a plan when lighting your fireworks. The plan should include the order the fireworks are lit.
• Only ever light one firework at a time.
• Direct the fireworks away from the crowd in case it goes off course.
• Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper.
• Read the instructions!

Stay Safe

Here at iHasco, we care about your health and safety; it’s what we’re all about! You are far less likely to have an accident if you stay informed on how to take care of yourself. But even if it’s not for your own benefit, educate yourself for the safety of others around you!

We offer a Fire Awareness Training course to help you avoid the dangers of fire and how to deal with them, if things go wrong. So this year, whether you’re going to a public display or setting off a few rockets in your back garden, make sure you stay safe!