NEWS 26 EVENTS

Northwest has highest incidence of firework injuries

24 October 2008

bonfire 2008 campaignGreater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has embarked on the second stage of it’s 2008 Firework Safety Campaign by highlighting the Northwest as the region with the worst record of firework injuries. Nationally there were 991 firework injuries reported, shockingly 179 (18%) of these occured in the Northwest.

The second stage of their campaign includes a radio advert that describes what it is like to be hit by a firework. The desciption supports billboard posters showing a young boy who has been badly disfigured after misusing fireworks. The Fire and Rescue Service has used hard hitting images and descriptions to show the true and only too  common outcomes of misusing fireworks. 

The campaign targets young teenagers, the most “at risk” group from firework injuries.

Assistant County Fire Officer for Fire Safety Steve Beckley said “These adverts will definitely make people think. Our statistics show that you are far safer at a properly organised fireworks display than lighting them yourself at your own bonfire party or playing with them in the street. The image on the poster shows the reality of what we come across every year, the horrible scars these fireworks can leave on a person’s life if they are not used sensibly. We are working with the Treacle partnership** to reduce the  impact on all our communities of misusing  fireworks and  the associated anti social behaviour.”


Editor’s notes

1. * Dti  Fireworks Injury Survey 2005.

Statistics from the survey include:-

  • National total of 991 injuries.
  • Northwest has highest occurence of the regions with 179 (18%), North and Yorkshire131(13%),Southeast131(13%),Trent 121(12%),Scotland 93(9.5%), West Midlands 89(9%), Wales 69(7%), Greater London 65(6.5%), Eastern 64(6.5%) and South and West 49(5%).
  • Children aged 5 – 17 make up 448 of the injuries (45%) – with a male bias.
  • Rockets caused 216 of the injuries.
  • 25% of the injuries occured on the street or other public place.
  • 48% of the injuries occured at a family or private party.

2. The Service has issued the following safety advice for this years bonfire period :-

Always attend an officially recognised  bonfire/fireworks display ( for a list of local  organised bonfires visit www.manchesterfire.gov.uk )

Fireworks

  • If you must have your own fireworks party, leave the lighting of the fireworks to a responsible adult.
  • Only ever buy fireworks from a reputable retailer.
  • Only buy fireworks marked BS 7114.
  • Keep fireworks in a closed metal box.
  • Follow the instructions on each firework.
  • Light them at arm’s length using a taper.
  • Stand well back.
  • Never go back to a lit firework.
  • Never put fireworks in your pocket.
  • Keep a bucket of water nearby if you are setting off fireworks in your garden.
  • Never throw fireworks.
  • Keep pets indoors.
  • Alcohol and fireworks do not mix and may lead to injury.

Bonfires

  • Never build your bonfire too close to overhead cables or nearby property. Bonfires should be 18 metres from buildings, trees, fences, overhead cables and car parking areas.
  • Bonfires should be no more than 3 metres in height.  There should be a suitable barrier around the bonfire to keep spectators 5 metres away.
  • Always check your bonfire before it is lit, children have been known to build dens inside them.
  • Do not use petrol, paraffin, diesel, white spirit or methylated spirit to light the bonfire – USE FIRELIGHTERS INSTEAD.
  • Do Not Burn aerosols, batteries, bottles, foam-filled furniture, tins of paint or tyres.
  • Keep some buckets of water nearby in case of emergency and to damp down after the event.
  • Always extinguish your bonfire once your party has finished.
  • Bonfires built on council land without permission will be removed.

3. The Fire Service operates an amnesty  which allows members of the public wishing to dispose of  unwanted fireworks to do so safely by calling 0800 634 0880 and they will be collected.

4. The image used is a recreation, using a model(A copy of the image is attached to this press release).

5. Unsafe bonfires on public land can be reported to Fire Stoppers on 0800 923 9999 to arrange for removal.

6. The law
It is illegal to:

  • Set off fireworks after 11 pm, except on certain defined days, such as 5 November (until midnight), New Year's Eve, the Chinese New Year and Diwali (until 1 am).
  • Throw fireworks/let them off in the street.
  • Possess fireworks unless you are 18 or older.
  • Sell fireworks to minors.
  • Sell fireworks without being registered.
  • Fail to comply with storage requirements (retailers).

7. ** Greater Manchester Fire And Rescue Service is a member of the Treacle partnership. Treacle is a multi agency initiative aimed at preventing, tackling and protecting against anti social behaviour, criminal damage and harm reduction during the Halloween and Bonfire period across Greater Manchester. Treacle partners include GMFRS, Greater Manchester Police,Local Authority Trading Standards, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive,  Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and  the Health and Safety Executive.

Press enquires
All enquiries regarding this press statement should be made to:

The Media Liaison Officer
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters
146 Bolton Road
Swinton
Manchester
M27 8US

Telephone: 0161 608 4090/1
Fax: 0161 608 4095