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PRESS RELEASE Issued on behalf of the Southern Area Accident Prevention Liaison Group 19 October 2008Accident Prevention Group Encourages Safe and Responsible use of Fireworks this Halloween As the firework season fast approaches the Southern Area Accident Prevention Liaison Group (SAAPLG) is urging everyone to exercise extreme care when handling fireworks. Last year 32 persons were injured over the Halloween period across Northern Ireland. 47% of persons injured attended an Accident and Emergency Department or Minor Injuries Unit between 31st October and 6th November 2008. 81% of those injured were male and 68% were aged under 18. 16% of the total firework injuries in Northern Ireland for this period occurred across the Southern area. Dr Vinod Tohani from the Public Health Agency and Chairman of the SAAPLG explains: “Fireworks are extremely dangerous and can lead to serious or fatal injuries. Most of the injuries in the Southern area are happening during casual displays in the street or at private parties. These types of displays have become more and more common during the past few years and what is worrying is that alcohol is present at around 90% of these parties.” Constable David Smith, PSNI and member of SAAPLG said: “Recently there has been a worrying increase in the misuse of fireworks, and I would like to remind young people that it is an offence to throw or use a firework in the street or other public places. I would also like to stress that it is against the law to use a firework to intentionally injure any person or animal or to damage property.” Seamus O’Reilly, A&E Consultant at Craigavon Area Hospital added: “The most common injuries are to the wrist or hand followed by the face, head or neck area. Most injuries involved the use or rather misuse of bangers and air bombs,” he said. Home Safety Manager for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in Northern Ireland, Ita McErlean commented: “Each Halloween, we hear of people being injured in firework accidents and some of the injuries suffered in recent years have been very serious. Fireworks are not toys - they are explosives and need to be treated with respect. “The safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a properly organised public display. However, if you are having a firework party at home, be sure to plan it well in advance, ensure you have a licence, buy your fireworks from a registered retailer and follow the firework code. Dr Tohani continued: “Sparklers should never be given to children under the age of five. They are extremely dangerous and can give off 10 times more heat than a boiling kettle or 5 times more heat than a safety match. Added to this, burns can be more serious for children, who have much more sensitive skin than an adult. We would ask parents to explain and demonstrate how sparklers should be used and disposed of and to supervise their use at all times. Anyone wishing to purchase, possess and use fireworks must have a licence. A person must be at least 16 years old before they can buy fireworks. To obtain a Licence Application Form Tel. (028) 9052 0057 or visit: http://www.nio.gov.uk/index/the_explosives_(fireworks)_regulations_(northern_ireland)_2002.htm The Firework Safety Code Do • Store fireworks securely, preferably in a metal box; • Use a torch to read and follow the specific instructions on each firework; • Light fireworks at arm’s length using a taper, never a naked flame; • Supervise children around fireworks and keep pets indoors; • Stand well back; • Have a bucket of water close by in case of an emergency. Don’t • Drink alcohol when letting off fireworks; • Go back to a firework once it has been lit – even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode; • Put fireworks in your pocket or throw them especially into a bonfire. If using sparklers • Always light them one at a time holding them at arm’s length; • Wear gloves to hold them; • Dispose of them immediately by extinguishing them in a bucket of water/soft earth. -Ends- Notes to Editors § The Southern Area Accident Prevention Liaison Group (SAAPLG) was set up to help prevent injuries in the home and workplace in the Southern area of Northern Ireland. Agencies involved in SAAPLG are: - Public Health Agency - Southern Health and Social Care Trust - NI Fire & Rescue Service - Police Service of Northern Ireland - Crime Prevention Unit & Community Safety & Traffic Control Unit - Southern Group Environmental Health Committee - Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) - Sure Start South Armagh - Southern Investing for Health Partnership - Southern Education and Library Board § Research figures taken from: Northern Ireland Fireworks • Anyone committing an offence under the fireworks legislation can be fined up to £5,000, or a prison sentence or both. • The closing date for Licence application forms is estimated at 21st October. Please contact the Northern Ireland Office at www.nio.gov.uk or the Firearms and Explosives Branch on 028 9052 0592 or 9052 0057 for advice and further information. • All fireworks must comply with British Standard BS 7114;1998. • It is an offence under the Explosives Act 1875 to sell fireworks to anyone under the age of 16. • Free work sheets and activity sheets on fireworks safety are being made available to schools and early years settings across the Southern area via the Safe Home For Me website through the site’s teacher’s resources section –visit www.safehome4me.com to download a free copy. These sheets are suitable for children aged 3-7 years. • For further information on firework safety visit: www.saferfireworks.com or www.berr.gov.uk/fireworks/index.htm“ • See www.saferfireworks.com for advice about how to plan a firework display.” |