With bonfire night upon us, it is the time of the year that the sky is illuminated by a variety of beautiful colours – sure to make both young and old ooh and ahh!
Staying safe this firework season is incredibly important – individuals, whether they are children or adults, should be dressed appropriately for the weather and stay a safe distance away from both the bonfire and fireworks. Bonfires can emit hazardous chemicals into the atmosphere and it is important that you do not breathe in too much of the smoke.
Also, ear protection should be considered before attending any event. Fireworks are typically registered at 140dB, however the ear in early years can only cope with 80dB – anything over that can have severe detrimental effect on the developing ear and overall hearing.
But did you know about these fireworks facts?
China is the world’s largest manufacturer of fireworks and they also export the most around the world. Nearly 90% of all fireworks originate from China! I’m sure in China, they know how to put on a great display!
In England, the first recorded and documented use of fireworks was way back in 1486 for King Henry VII’s wedding.
If you, or someone else, dreams of fireworks, it is said to mean that you like to be centre of attention and have been known to show off to others!
Rockets have been clocked at going at speeds of up to 150mph! And the shell can reach up to a whopping 200 metres!
The worlds largest rocket weighed in at a staggering 13kg and was produced as well as launched in Portugal in 2010.
Back in 1996, to mark the New Year’s celebrations in Hong Kong, a string of firecrackers were lit that lasted for a truly staggering 22 hours!
The hardest colour to create for a firework is blue.
Queen Elizabeth loved fireworks. And she loved them so much, that she even created a special honorary title, ‘Fire Master of England’ for the person who created the best fireworks! What a title to have!
Everyone loves the wonder and excitement of Bonfire Night, especially children. Whether you’re heading to a huge display, going to a friend’s garden, or creating your own display, always remember the safety of yourself and others when it comes to bonfires and fireworks. Each year a lot of preventable accidents occur due to a lack of safety measures when using bonfires, fireworks and sparklers.
Here are some tips for making it a memorable night (for the right reasons) for both yourself and your children:
Bonfires
- Keep children at a safe distance at all times
- Make sure your bonfire is away from fences, sheds and trees
- Never leave a lit bonfire unattended
- Have a bucket of water or a water hose nearby
- Never throw sparklers or fireworks into the bonfire
Fireworks
- Children must be supervised at all times
- With children, we suggest they wear ear-defenders or ear muffs, as the fireworks can be very loud, especially to younger, more sensitive ears
- Keep well away, set a boundary that people are not allowed to cross
- Always read the firework’s instructions
- Never go near a firework that has been lit
- Make sure fireworks are set in sand or firm soil, aiming at the sky, not buildings
- Keep pets indoors
Sparklers
- Sparklers should be lit one at a time
- A sparkler can get as hot as 2,000°C, so make sure you and your children wear gloves
- It’s recommended that children under the age of 5 should not use sparklers
- Children must always be supervised when using sparklers
- Don’t let children run around when holding a lit sparkler
- Don’t hold young children or babies if you’re holding a sparkler, just in case they try to touch it
- Make sure finished sparklers are put in a bucket of water
Top Tips for Staying Safe on Bonfire Night
f you have any little ones running around your ankles, bonfire night can also bring with it a degree of stress as you try to keep your children as safe as possible whilst the festivities take place.
With an average of 1,000 firework related incidents occurring in the UK every year, child safety should be at the forefront of your mind, whether you are attending a celebration or organising your own. Here are our top tips for keeping you and your family safe this Bonfire night.
Bonfire Height
As impressive as it looks, overbuilt bonfires are incredibly dangerous, so ensure that, if you decide to have one at your event, it is not too high. They should also be built in a large open space, away from houses, hedges and other garden buildings, such as sheds.
Sparklers
Sparklers are an essential part of any Bonfire night celebration, and children absolutely love them! However, they are the most common cause of accidents as they are often not handled appropriately, with many people thinking they are pretty harmless additions to the party.
To ensure everyone is safe, make sure anyone who is handling a sparkler stands still whilst using them, wears gloves and holds the sparklers at arm’s length, horizontally. Once they have gone out, sparklers should be placed in a bucket of water. Any that have been dropped on the floor shouldn’t be picked up with bare hands as they could still be extremely hot to the touch. Children should be supervised at all times whilst using sparklers, and under 5’s should not have one at all.
Ear Protection
Whilst your children may love the idea of fireworks, watching the pretty colours whizz and sparkle in the night sky, the reality of the loud bangs and cracks might spook them a bit. If you worry that your child may become distressed with the loud noises, then it’s worth buying ear plugs or ear defenders to help muffle the bangs. If the Bonfire event is taking place at your home, or in a friend’s house, let them know that if the noises get too much they can go and sit inside whenever they want to.
Fireworks
Firstly, only purchase fireworks with the BS7114 kitemark, and be sure to store them in a cool dry box until they are needed. Educate your children on the dangers of fireworks, whilst still ensuring they are excited about the event. Let them know that they need to keep a safe distance from the fireworks display, and once a firework has been lit, they cannot go back to it. All rockets should be set up properly, in a bucket of sand or soil, so that they ‘blast off’ in the right direction, and flat fireworks, like Catherine Wheels, should be nailed securely to a piece of board. Buckets of water should also be kept nearby in case of emergencies.
And on a serious note…
Fireworks are not fun for cats and dogs – please make sure that your pets are safely kept inside when the fireworks are going off and if you are going out to watch a display, leave the television or some music playing on low to help mask the noise for your furry friends.
And half of all firework related injuries happen to children under the age of 16 – so stay safe this fireworks and bonfire night and enjoy the seasonal fun!
Have a great night and have fun, but most of all, stay safe!
Image credit: http://bit.ly/19xZnDh